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AMA2 


ADDRESSES 


THE  CELEBRATION 

OF  THE 


FORTY-SIXTH  ANNIVERSARY 

OF  THE 

V 

AMERICAN  BIBLE  SOCIETY. 


[REPORTED  BY  CHARLES.^.  COLLAR.] 


AMERICA BIBLE  SOCIETY’S  PRESS, 

ASTOR  PLACE,  NEW  YORK. 


1862. 


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ANNIVERSARY  ADDRESSES. 


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The  Anniversary  exercises  were  held  at  Irving  Hall,  corner  of  Fif- 
teenth Street  and  Irving  Place,  May  8,  1862,  Hon.  Heman  Lincoln,  of 
Boston,  Mass.,  Senior  Vice  President  of  the  Society,  in  the  chair. 

Rev.  Dr.  Potts,  of  New  York,  read  the  forty-sixth  Psalm  and  offered 
prayer. 

ADDRESS  OF  THE  VICE  PRESIDENT. 

This  is  the  Forty-Sixth  Anniversary  of  a Society  whose  national  and 
anti-denominational  character  is  one  in  which  we  ought  all  to  rejoice ; 
a Society  composed  of  Christians  of  various  denominations,  united 
together  in  sending  the  Bread  of  Life  to  the  destitute  in  every  part 
of  the  world,  and  whose  usefulness  is  constantly  and  continually  in- 
creasing. Since  its  formation,  the  Society  has  been  proud  to  number 
among  its  members  many  very  distinguished  and  prominent  individuals, 
known  to  the  world  as  men  of  science,  learning,  and  best  of  all,  as  men 
celebrated  for  their  patriotism  and  piety.  It  is  peculiar  cause  for  grati- 
tude on  the  present  occasion,  while  our  hearts  are  filled  with  sadness 
that  this  chair  is  not  filled  by  the  distinguished  individual  who  has  so 
lately  gone  to  his  rest  (Hon.  Mr.  Frelinghuysen),  that  he  was  permitted 
so  long  to  serve  the  Society  in  the  capacity  of  its  presiding  officer,  and 
that  he  exerted  such  a genial  and  blessed  influence  throughout  the  whole 
community  by  the  exercise  of  talents  so  great,  piety  so  distinguished,  and 
by  such  uniform  and  unwavering  devotion  to  the  Cause  of  Christ  and  the 
institutions  of  religion,  which  always  had  his  most  earnest  and  cordial 
support.  He  felt  it  to  be  a season  of  peculiar  sadness  to  the  Society 
and  the  whole  community,  when  he  recalled  to  mind  what  a number  of 
distinguished  individuals,  during  the  short  period  of  little  more  than  one 
year,  had  been  removed  from  earth,  as  he  trusted,  to  heaven.  Among 
others,  he  might  mention  the  name  of  Ex.  Gov.  Briggs,  of  Mass.,  whose 
praises  he  need  not  recount,  for  he  was  known  personally  to  many  of  you, 
a man  distinguished  for  his  devotion  to  the  Cause  of  Christ  and  the 
benevolent  enterprises  of  the  day,  especially  the  cause  of  temperance  and 
Sabbath  schools.  Judge  John  M‘Lean,  of  Ohio,  and  Judge  Williams,  of 
Connecticut,  had  passed  away  too;  men  distinguished  for  their  talents 


4 


patriotism,  and  the  deep  and  warm  interest  they  manifested  in  the  fur- 
therance of  all  religious  and  philanthropic  efforts  to  benefit  their  fellow 
men.  And  here  he  could  but  pay  a tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of 
the  late  Horace  Holden  and  George  Douglas,  both  influential  officers  of 
this  Society,  who  were  always  among  the  most  earnest  of  labourers  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  Christ.  Judge  M‘Lean  was  one  of  the  oldest  of 
the  Vice  Presidents  of  this  Society.  He  knew  him  intimately  for 
nearly  forty  years ; was  well  acquainted  with  his  religious  character,  and 
knew  him  to  be  of  the  most  devotional  disposition.  He  also  had  the 
very  great  privilege  to  become  personally  acquainted  with  the  late 
President  of  the  Society  (Hon.  Mr.  Frelinghuysen),  whose  loss  they  so 
deeply  mourn.  In  1830,  when  he  was  United  States  senator  from  the 
State  of  New  Jersey,  it  was  his  happiness  to  hear  from  his  lips  that 
memorable  speech  of  his,  in  behalf  of  the  Cherokee  Indians,  when  for 
three  consecutive  days  he  charmed  and  electrified  the  Senate,  and  the 
large  auditory  who  had  assembled  to  hear  him.  The  effect  produced 
by  the  speech  was  great,  as  indeed  his  language  at  all  times  was  of 
a persuasive  and  convincing  character.  There  was  a Christian  cheerful- 
ness, too,  about  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  deserving  of  all  imitation, 
which  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  traits  of  his  character,  and  he 
always  considered  it  to  be  a privilege  to  enjoy  his  conversation. 
But  he  has  passed  away ; yet  his  influence  for  good  still  re- 
mained behind  him.  Time  would  not  allow  him  to  dwell  so  fully  upon 
the  many  virtues  of  the  deceased  as  his  heart  prompted  him  to  do,  but 
before  taking  his  seat  he  would  ask  the  audience  to  go  back  with  him  to 
that  memorable  speech  of  his,  in  relation  to  the  removal  of  the  Cherokee 
Indians,  the  closing  part  of  which  was  in  these  words : — 

“ I have  in  my  humble  measure  attempted  to  discharge  a public  and 
most  solemn  duty  towards  an  interesting  portion  of  my  fellow  men. 
Should  it  prove  to  be  as  fruitless  as  I know  it  to  be  below  the  weight  of 
their  claims,  yet  even  then  it  will  have  its  consolations.  Defeat  in  such 
a cause  is  far  above  the  triumphs  of  unrighteous  power ; and  I had  rather 
receive  the  blessing  of  one  poor  Cherokee,  as  he  casts  his  eye  back  for 
the  last  time  upon  his  country,  for  in  vain  having  attempted  to  prevent 
his  banishment,  than  to  sleep  beneath  the  marble  of  the  Cesars.” 

Theodore  Frelinghuysen  is  not  sleeping  beneath  the  marble  of  the 
Cesars,  but  he  is  sleeping  in  his  quiet  and  peaceful  grave,  there  to 
remain  until  the  great  resurrection  day ; the  grateful  recollections  of  the 
whole  Christian  church  clustering  around  his  blessed  memory. 

Rev.  Dr.  Spring,  of  New  York,  offered  the  following  resolution  : 
Resolved , That  the  Report,  an  abstract  of  which  has  been  read,  be  published  and 
circulated  under  the  direction  of  the  Managers. 

It  is  a delightful  truth,  sanctioned  by  the  Providence  of  God,  demon- 
strated by  the  powei;  of  his  Spirit,  and  revealed  in  his  Holy  Word,  that 


5 


every  good  man  being  dead  yet  speaketh,  and  of  this  I was  forcibly 
reminded,  as  I listened  to  the  eulogy  pronounced  by  the  presiding  officer 
of  this  Society  upon  the  bright  and  distinguished  names  of  those  who 
were,  in  so  marked  a degree,  lovers  of  their  country  and  lovers  of  the 
Bible.  Patriotism  and  Christianity  were  delightfully  exemplified  in  the 
lives  of  these  heavenly  men.  I go  back  in  remembrance  forty-four  or 
forty-five  years,  when  I was  a youth,  and  called  upon  this  platform  to 
address  the  friends  of  the  Bible  Society.  I have  no  recollection  of  the 
remarks  I then  made,  but  the  theme  of  that  day  I well  recollect,  and 
there  is  a remarkable  coincidence  between  that  theme  and  the  one  upon 
the  present  occasion.  It  was  the  influence  of  the  Bible  upon  the  great 
principles  of  civil  liberty.  The  nation  stands  upon  the  Bible.  Our 
fathers  rested  their  hopes  upon  it ; the  unity  of  this  land  rests  upon  it ; 
the  success  of  our  arms  and  the  regeneration  of  the  world  rest  upon  it ; 
and  God  grant  that  I — an  old  man  travelling  with  slow  and  heavy  steps 
towards  the  house  of  all  the  living — and  all  of  us,  may  have  in  our  last 
hours  the  precious  consolation  of  a holy  faith. 

I move,  sir,  the  adoption  of  the  resolution. 

The  resolution  was  seconded  by  Rev.  Dr.  M‘Leod,  and  agreed  to. 

Rev.  Dr.  Taylor,  of  Philadelphia,  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  work  of  this  Society  and  its  branches,  the  past  year,  in  supplying 
the  army  and  navy  with  the  Scriptures,  is  a work  which  commends  itself  to  the  prayer- 
ful regard  and  generous  support  of  every  Christian  and  patriot. 

The  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States  have  furnished  this  Society 
with  interesting  fields  of  labour,  almost  from  its  origin.  But  all  our 
previous  efforts  put  together  are  outdone  by  the  great  results  of  the  past 
year,  which,  in  this  respect  at  least,  bids  fair  to  be  remembered  as  the 
“ annus  mirabilis ” of  Bible  distribution  among  our  armies  and  our  fleets. 
The  most  powerful  argument  for  the  resolution  just  read  is,  doubtless,  to 
be  found  in  the  work  itself,  by  which  nearly  700,000  volumes  of  Holy 
Scripture  have  been  actually  given  to  the  armed  defenders  of  the  Union. 
The  details  of  this  vast  labour  abound  in  encouraging  facts ; but  on  an 
occasion  like  the  present  we  can  only  generalize,  and  illustrate  some  of 
those  great  principles  which  underlie  the  work,  and  make  its  best  appeal 
to  our  reason  and  to  our  hearts. 

First  of  all,  we  owe  a prayerful  and  liberal  support  to  this  work,  be- 
cause it  falls  in  the  line  of  those  great  unfinished  providences  which  make 
the  whole  history  of  our  country.  I say,  unfinished  providences ; for  it 
would  be  strange  indeed,  if,  after  a history  whose  great  events  are  second 
only  to  those  of  the  Hebrew  exodus,  pilgrimage,  and  triumph,  we  should 
now  be  forsaken  of  God  in  the  very  crisis  of  our  destiny.  Sir,  I believe 


that  this  Union  was  made,  not  by  men,  nor  by  parties,  nor  yet  by  the 
patriots  who  formed  onr  constitution,  but  by  God  himself.  The  adoption 
of  the  constitution  was  but  the  logical  result  of  causes  that  lay  in  the 
colonization  of  the  land  by  the  heirs  and  representatives  of  the  great 
historical  principles  of  civil  and  religious  freedom,  and  of  Protestant 
Christianity,  with  its  free,  open  Bible,  and  its  cross  of  glory.  Our  liberty 
is  the  child  of  the  storm — our  Christianity  can  never  lose  its  martyr-spirit 
while  “the  souls  beneath  the  altar”  are  continually  crying,  “How  long,  0 
Lord,  how  long  ?”  Like  our  vast  fleets  which  encountered  the  most  ter- 
rific storms  of  the  season  at  their  departure,  and  when  the  enemy  were 
rejoicing  in  their  supposed  destruction  by  the  hand  of  God,  we  are  gath- 
ering again  from  the  conflict  of  the  elements,  to  the  battle  for  the  right, 
with  streaming  banners  and  thundering  broadsides,  and  psalms  of  honour 
to  Him  “ who  remembered  us  in  our  low  estate,”  for  his  mercy  endureth 
forever. 

But,  sir,  the  providence  which  has  so  chastised  and  blessed  us,  has 
summoned  the  church  of  Christ  to  a most  important  duty  in  this  great 
crisis.  She  is  the  queenly  Esther  who  has  “ come  to  the  kingdom  for  such 
a time  as  this,”  exclaiming,  “ How  can  I endure  to  see  the  evil  that  shall 
come  upon  my  people?”  She  has  gone  in  to  the  King  of  kings — she  has 
touched  the  sceptre.  She  has  come  forth  from  his  presence  with  the  de- 
cree which  is  to  save  a nation  from  death,  and  hide  its  multitude  of  sins, 
while  she  has  thus  strengthened  her  own  seat  beside  the  throne  and  her 
place  in  the  royal  heart.  It  is  sheer  political  atheism  to  ignore  the  power 
of  a praying  and  working  church  with  God,  and  with  men,  in  a country 
and  in  a conflict  like  this.  The  Divine  government,  moral  and  physical, 
as  displayed  in  our  land,  is  completely  identified  at  every  step  with  the 
gospel  and  its  institutions.  Providence  moves  on  the  predestined  track 
through  the  realms  of  the  kingdom,  in  whose  interest  its  mighty  trains 
are  flying  back  and  forth,  freighted  with  the  purposes  of  God,  with  the 
hopes  of  the  race,  and  with  the  glories  of  Christ. 

Sir,  “ the  uprising  of  a great  people,”  which  we  have  lived  to  see,  and 
which,  in  a merely  political  aspect,  is  the  fact  of  facts  in  this  contest,  has 
also  its  moral  and  religious,  aspects.  Our  loyalty  had  become  almost  a 
sentimental  thing;  now  it  is  a grand  idea,  a flaming  fact,  a religious  prin- 
ciple and  power,  working  itself  out  through  countless  channels  of  willing 
obedience,  of  princely  charity,  and  of  noble  self  sacrifice. 

Among  its  best  exhibitions  must  be  counted  the  singular  adaptation 
of  the  evangelizing  power  of  the  church  of  God  to  the  multiform  claims 
of  the  emergency.  Her  pulpits  have  rung  out  the  voices  of  a sanctified 
patriotism — her  pews  have  responded  with  loud  “amens”  of  word  and 
deed — her  solemn  litany  and  her  grand  Te  Deum  have  swelled  the  volume 
of  prayers  and  praises  at  the  throne  of  the  Heavenly  Grace.  And  those  great 


7 


institutions  which  combine  the  forces  of  Christian  unity  and  enterprise, 
have  been  assigned  their  own  place  by  the  same  almighty  hand  which 
has  marshalled  our  legions,  and  raised  up  the  heroes  of  the  time.  Among 
these  institutions,  none  has  a better  place  than  this  venerable  Society 
whose  name,  nature,  and  history,  are  the  pledges  of  that  national  patriot- 
ism, and  that  catholic  unity  which  enter  into  its  very  life.  Casting  aside 
the  political  questions  of  the  war,  this  Society,  true  to  itself,  aims  to  do  its 
appropriate  work  among  the  armed  defenders  of  our  country  both  on  the 
sea  and  on  the  land.  And  we  owe  it  our  prayerful  response,  and  gener- 
ous help,  as  a grateful  -recognition  of  that  providence  which  has  preserved 
and  prepared  it  for  its  glorious  mission.  When  it  was  formed  the  country 
was  yet  suffering  from  the  effects  of  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain  ; but, 
in  the  language  of  its  first  address  to  the  people  of  the  United  States : 
“ The  most  heavenly  charity  treads  close  upon  the  march  of  conflict  and 
blood.  Scarce  has  the  soldier  time  to  unbind  his  helmet  and  to  wipe 
away  the  sweat  from  his  brow,  ere  the  voice  of  mercy  succeeds  to  the 
clarion  of  battle,  and  calls  the  nations  from  enmity  to  love.”  To  day  the 
deep-toned  harp  of  God  is  heard  above  the  trumpets  and  drumbeats  and 
cannonades  of  contending  armies,  and  its  music  prolongs  the  angelic  song 
that  floated  over  Bethlehem’s  plain,  “ Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and 
on  earth  peace,  good  will  toward  men.” 

Sir,  we  ought  to  thank  God  to  day  that  this  is  still  the  American 
Bible  Society ; that  amid  all  the  conflicts  of  the  time,  while  churches  are 
sundered,  and  states  disrupted,  and  the  government  itself  is  struggling  for 
its  life,  this  Society  retains  its  national  name  and  character,  and  is  ready  to 
do  more  than  its  old  work  in  every  league  of  our  American  territory,  as  soon 
as  “an  open  door  is  set  before  it.”  What  loyal  heart  did  not  beat  more 
joyfully  this  morning  at  the  sight  of  the  glorious  old  flag  floating  from  the 
mast  on  the  top  of  the  Bible  House,  while  every  stripe  seemed  flushed 
with  richer  colours,  and  every  star  kindled  with  new  lustre  in  the  light  of 
our  recent  triumphs ! But  to  us,  as  a Society,  it  is  doubly  dear  for  the 
sake  of  the  work  which  Providence  has  given  us  to  do  for  the  whole  peo- 
ple. Even  of  late  have  our  Agents  been  pressing  into  the  war-wasted 
regions,  where  churches  are  shut,  congregations  dispersed,  and  sabbaths 
are  silent,  and  pastors  have  left  their  folds  either  of  will  or  by  force. 
“ The  Bible  man”  follows  in  the  track  of  our  armies,  and  the  few  Chris- 
tians who  remain  to  pray  over  the  desolations  of  country,  home,  and 
church,  welcome  him  as  the  bearer  of  “ good  news  from  a far  country,” 
which  “ is  as  cold  water  to  their  thirsty  souls.”  May  we  not  hope  and 
pray,  that  in  its  purely  American  and  Biblical  character,  our  venerable 
Society  remaineth  until  this  day  a tall  monument  of  God’s  favour  to  the 
whole  land,  and  a harbinger  of  returning  peace,  unity,  and  prosperity. 
On  the  list  of  our  honourary  officers,  and  auxiliaries,  are  many  noble 
southern  names  which  we  would  fain  retain  upon  our  rolls  of  honour, 


8 


until  death  shall  summon  their  possessors  to  the  better  land.  May 
God  swiftly  bring  the  day  when  we  shall  again  be  one  people,  with  one 
government,  one  Bible,  and  that  one  holy  catholic  church  in  which 
we  all  believe;  and  when  the  vast  domain  of  the  republic  shall  open 
its  gates,  never  to  be  closed  again  to  the  sublime  work  of  the  American 
Bible  Society ! 

But,  Mr.  President,  we  should  also  devoutly  recognize  our  debt  to 
Him,  who,  in  this  time  of  calamity,  has  enabled  this  Society  to  continue 
and  extend  its  operations,  so  that  its  issues  for  the  year  exceed  those  of 
any  previous  year.  He  has  filled  its  treasury  with  ample  resources  for  all 
existing  claims.  He  has  opened  the  hearts  of  myriads  of  our  people  to 
give  liberally  for  supplying  the  Word  of  Life  to  those  who  “stand  in 
jeopardy  every  hour”  for  us.  He  has  so  overruled  “ the  wrath  of  man,” 
that  the  war  has  opened  up  new  fields,  supplied  fresh  motives,  called  forth 
greater  liberality,  and  stimulated  the  efforts  of  private  friends,  churches, 
sabbath  schools,  and  auxiliary  societies.  Chaplains,  colporteurs,  agents, 
our  Christian  young  men,  the  clergy,  “ devout  women,  not  a few,”  and 
the  very  children,  have  come  up  to  our  help ; and  even  the  legislatures  of 
some  of  the  States,  and  their  governors,  have  officially  aided  in  the  sup- 
ply of  our  heroic  defenders.  While  all  this  has  been  done  at  home,  and 
while  the  dangers  of  foreign  war  were  frowning  upon  us,  came  that  gen- 
erous offer  of  pecuniary  help  from  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
which  was  even  more  grateful  for  its  Christian  love  than  for  its  princely 
amount.  Sir,  we  rejoice  that  it  came  as  it  did,  and  also  that  God’s  bounty 
enabled  us  to  decline  it ; and  yet  that  it  stands  recorded  upon  our  an- 
nals as  a munificent  token  of  the  same  regard  which  prompted  the  gift  of 
two  hundred  pounds  sterling  to  the  first  Bible  Society  which  was  estab- 
lished in  these  United  States — that  of  Philadelphia,  in  1809 — and  which 
again  moved  the  donation  of  five  hundred  pounds  sterling  to  this  national 
institution  in  the  first  year  of  its  existence,  when  it  “ had  neither  Bible 
houses  nor  Bibles,  nor  materials  for  making  them.”  May  I add  here,  in  a 
parenthesis,  that  during  the  past  week  tidings  reached  the  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions  of  my  own  church,  that  the  London  Missionary  Society  had 
just  appropriated  the  sum  of  four  hundred  pounds  sterling  for  the  purpose 
of  returning  to  India,  and  sustaining  him  there  for  a year,  one  of  the  sons 
of  the  late  venerable  missionary,  Dr.  Scudder.  They  had  heard  of  the 
depleted  treasury  of  our  own  Board,  aud  this  was  their  noble  response  to 
the  appeal  of  the  devoted  missionary,  to  be  sent  back  with  his  family  to 
his  Hindoo  church  and  mission. 

Sir,  we  must  estimate  the  strength  of  the  bonds  that  unite  us  to  that 
great  empire,  not  by  the  councils  of  cabinets,  nor  by  the  question  of  su- 
perior power  for  assault  and  defence,  nor  by  the  tone  of  ignorant  politi- 
cians, and  a perverted  press.  Ho  sir,  no  ! but  we  will  listen  to  the  beating 
heart  of  Great  Britain’s  Christian  and  widowed  queen,  and  to  the  voices 


9 


of  her  Christian  people,  as  they  are  interpreted  by  this  noble  action  of  the 
British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and  of  the  London  Missionary  Society. 
These  are  the  heraldings  of  the  Prince  of  Peace.  And  sir,  if  the  time 
ever  comes  for  us  to  “ go  and  do  likewise,”  who  doubts  the  return  which 
our  American  Biblical  Christianity  will  make  ? 

But  God  puts  us  by  his  providence  under  another  debt.  We  owe 
our  prayerful  and  gracious  support  of  this  work  to  these  seven  hundred 
thousand  soldiers , and  to  the  hosts  that  fill  our  fleets,  for  whom  it  is  car- 
ried on.  Who  are  they?  Not  aliens,  not  mercenaries,  not  desperate 
adventurers,  nor  “ fighting  machines.”  They  are  our  “brethren — our 
kinsmen  according  to  the  flesh.”  They  represent  the  wealth,  the  litera- 
ture, the  arts,  the  productive  industry,  the  intellect,  the  moral  worth,  the 
loyalty,  and  the  piety,  of  the  land.  Like  Cromwell’s  Ironsides,  many  of 
them  “ have  the  fear  of  God  before  them,  and  make  some  conscience  of 
what  they  do.”  They  are  my  soldiers  and  sailors,  they  are  yours.  They 
are  vicarious  sufferers  too.  They  are  the  men  of  Providence,  raised  up 
for  the  crisis.  For  God  makes  nations  and  heroes  — and  He  gives  us 
leaders  and  commanders  for  the  people  now,  just  as  He  gave  us  that 
matchless  man  whose  example  and  history  commend  to  us  the  eloquent 
declaration  of  one  of  the  founders  of  this  Society:  “Now  he  saved  the 
Republic  by  more  than  Fabian  caution,  now  he  avenged  her  by  more 
than  Carthaginian  fierceness ; while  at  every  stroke  her  forests  and  her 
hills  re-echoed  to  her  shout,  The  sword  of  the  Lord  and  of  Washington  !” 

When  our  soldiers  come  to  us  as  the  old  helmeted  Romans  came  to 
John  the  Baptist,  asking,  “And  what  shall  we  do?”  we  say  with  the 
Forerunner,  “ Do  violence  to  no  man,  neither  accuse  any  falsely,  and  be 
content  with  your  wages.”  But  we  say  more.  We  put  in  their  hands 
this  “book  of  the  wars  of  the  Lord,”  which  teaches  them  not  to  “organize 
victory,”  “ but  to  be  of  good  courage,  and  play  the  man  for  our  people  and 
for  the  cities  of  our  God.”  We  give  them  this  “ book  of  victory,”  as  Cecil 
called  it,  for  their  own,  pointing  them  to  Him  “ who  teacheth  their  hands 
to  war  and  their  fingers  to  fight.”  We  give  them  this  book  of  laws , pro- 
claiming those  rules  of  life  and  godliness,  and  laying  those  broad,  deep 
foundations  of  civil  government  and  of  obedience  to  it  which  no  human 
authority  can  set  aside  with  impunity,  and  which  Providence  executes 
with  the  rigour  and  majesty  of  “eternal  judgment.”  God  has  written 
his  ten  commandments  in  the  blood  of  thousands  of  our  fellow-citizens. 
The  pages  of  our  last  historic  year  are  crimsoned  with  the  great  red  let- 
ters of  those  laws  by  which  nations  live,  and  by  whose  breach  they  die. 
Over  one  page  might  be  placed  the  inscription:  “When  the  host  goeth 
forth  against  thine  enemies,  then  keep  thee  from  every  wicked  thing.” 
Over  another  I read  : “ They  shall  come  out  against  thee  one  way,  and  flee 
before  thee  seven  ways.”  Here  are  whole  chapters  with  the  heading : 
“Ye  shall  keep  my  Sabbaths,”  There  are  the  critical  junctures  over 


10 


which  Providence  wrote,  “The  battle  is  not  yours,  but  God’s.”  Now  we 
turn  a sadder  page  whose  title  is,  “ The  victory  that  day  was  turned  into 
mourning.”  And  again  we  peruse  the  immortal  record  which  begins  and 
ends  with  the  doxology,  “ Thine,  0 Lord,  is  the  greatness,  and  the  power, 
and  the  glory,  and  the  victory,  and  the  majesty.” 

But,  sir,  the  chief  value  of  this  precious  Word  is,  that  it  is  able  to 
make  our  men  wise  unto  salvation.  After  all,  we  deal  with  them  far  less 
in  their  capacity  as  soldiers,  than  as  men  who  have  souls  to  be  saved,  and 
whose  salvation  or  perdition  may  at  any  moment  be  announced  by  the 
stroke  of  an  enemy.  “Verily  there  is  but  a step  between  thee  and 
death.”  Notwithstanding  the  dreadful  wickedness  of  the  camps,  we 
know  that  no  army  in  the  world  has  ever  been  so  well  supplied  with  the 
Scriptures  and  chaplains,  and  other  means  of  grace,  with  which  the  awak- 
ened zeal  of  Christians  has  endeavoured  to  meet  the  spiritual  claims  of  the 
crisis.  And  God  has  greatly  blessed  the  work.  Multitudes  of  soldiers  have 
been  reached,  in  whose  distant  and  secluded  homes  the  church  bell  never 
rang  out  its  call  to  prayer,  and  many  more  have  come  to  us  from  those  crowd- 
ed haunts  of  our  great  cities,  where  the  pealing  music  of  a hundred  bells 
and  the  blessings  of  an  abounding  Christianity  were  passed  unheeded  by. 

It  is  no  light  thing  to  bring  these  mixed  throngs  into  daily  contact 
with  the  living  teacher  and  the  written  Word,  and  the  little  praying 
circle  on  the  Sabbath  worship.  “In  strains  as  soft  as  angels  use,  the 
Gospel  whispers  peace,”  amid  all  the  turmoil  of  the  camp,  the  weariness 
of  the  march,  and  the  terrors  of  the  conflict.  And  after  each  battle  is 
over,  the  gentle  necessities  of  humanity  and  of  faith  are  bestowed  by  the 
side  of  the  sufferer,  and  at  the  graves  of  the  slain.  There,  then,  this  pre- 
cious Bible  offers  its  best  instructions,  its  gentlest  consolations,  and  then  it 
proclaims  the  resurrection  triumph  of  Him  who  bled  upon  the  tree ; and 
the  departing  spirit  whose  head  has  been  pillowed  upon  the  enduring 
Word,  flings  out  the  challenge  of  apostolic  grace,  “O  death,  where  is  thy 
sting  ? 0 grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ? But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth 
us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.”  And  then  in  distant 
homes,  whose  costliest  sacrifice  has  be.en  laid  upon  the  altar  of  their  coun- 
try, this  same  dear  Bible  speaks  the  language  and  perpetuates  the  love  of 
Him  who  wept  with  Mary  and  Martha  at  their  brother’s  grave,  and  who 
broke  the  bondage  of  that  brother’s  death. 

We  owe  it  to  these  men  and  to  their  households  to  see  to  it  that  not 
one  of  them  shall  go  to  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ  to  say,  “I  gave  ray 
life-blood  for  my  country,  but  no  man  cared  for  my  soul.”  But  what 
becomes  of  these  books  ? It  is  true  that  many  do  not  prize  the  sacred 
Word,  and  that  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  “sets  at  nought  almost 
every  generous  effort  to  save  their  souls  even  in  the  face  of  death.”  Thou- 
sands of  these  volumes  are  lost  on  the  march,  left  in  the  camps,  injured 
by  fording  streams,  and  by  other  exposures  of  war.  Many  again  are  sent 


11 


home  by  the  soldiers  to  their  distant  families  on  the  mountains,  the 
prairies,  or  the  coast,  where  even  the  hardy  colporteur  seldom  or  never 
goes.  But  thus  the  Society  is  called  upon  to  keep  up  the  supply,  and  it 
does  a noble  work  in  places  where  it  never  could  go  before.  Thousands 
of  these  Bibles  and  Testaments  have  gone  back  to  the  homes  of  those 
who  will  never  see  them  again.  They  are  priceless  legacies,  wet  with  the 
tears,  crimsoned  with  the  blood,  loaded  with  the  blessings,  of  the  wounded 
and  the  dead — memorials  of  their  patriotism,  their  piety,  and  their  last 
best  victory.  But,  sir,  if  every  one  if  these  copies  of  the  Bible  were  de- 
spised and  destroyed,  the  mere  fact  of  their  distribution  would  of  itself  be 
a blessing  to  those  who  gave  them ; for  the  responsibility  for  their  misuse 
would  lie  at  the  doors  of  those  who  rejected  them,  and  the  blessed  Saviour 
would  have  rich  rewards  for  those  who  supplied  his  Word  in  his  own 
beloved  name.  But  this  is  not  a possible  supposition.  Facts  prove  the 
usefulness  and  power  of  this  timely  distribution  of  the  Word  of  God. 
Every  camp  and  hospital,  and  regiment  and  fleet,  furnish  the  proof 
that  God’s  “Word  shall  not  return  unto  him  void,”  and  that  it  “shall 
accomplish  the  purpose  whereunto  he  sent  it.”  Again , we  owe  it  as  a debt 
of  gratitude  for  the  Gospel,  to  see  to  it  that  the  great  moral  and  religious 
issues  of  this  conflict  shall  be  guarded  by  the  spirit  that  lives  in  this  Book 
of  books.  It  is  well  known  that  many  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
revolutionary  war  were  thoroughly  infected  with  the  appalling  French 
infidelity  of  the  age,  and  that  they  carried  its  principles  from  the  war  to 
their  homes.  The  memorable  purchase  of  20,000  copies  of  the  Bible  by 
the  Congress  of  177 7 was  a public  acknowledgment  of  the  God  of  the 
Scriptures,  a permanent  protest  against  the  ungodliness  of  the  times,  and 
a pledge  of  our  reliance  as  a nation  upon  Him  who  alone  made  and  can 
preserve  our  Union.  Those  Bibles  were  carried  by  act  and  expense  of 
Congress  into  the  different  ports  of  the  States  of  the  Union.  In  1781 
the  same  body,  in  view  of  the  impossibility  of  importing  the  Scriptures 
during  the  war,  “recommended  the  edition  published  by  Mr.  Aitkin  of 
Philadelphia  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States.”  And  now  sir,  in 
the  face  of  such  facts,  it  has  been  well  asked,  “ Who  shall  deny  that  this 
is  a Bible  nation  ? Who  will  charge  the  government  with  indifference 
to  religion,  when  the  first  Congress  of  the  States  assumed  all  the  rights 
and  performed  all  the  duties  of  a Bible  Society  long  before  such  an  insti- 
tution had  an  existence  in  the  world?”  To  that  honoured  work  this 
Society  has  fallen  as  the  national  heir. 

To  day  we  are  contending  against  the  infidelity,  the  radicalism,  and  the 
lawlessness  of  a more  active  age.  We  can  afford  to  be  taxed,  troubled, 
and  humbled,  but  we  cannot  afford  to  lose  the  benefit  of  all  that  this 
crisis  has  called  forth  in  money,  self  sacrifice,  and  prayers  for  our  country 
and  our  God.  Much  less  can  we  afford  to  lose  those  lessons  of  charity 
and  forgiveness  of  enemies  which  the  apostle  bade  us  practice  in  those 


12 


gracious  words  : “ If  thine  enemy  hunger  feed  him,  if  he  thirst  give  him 
drink,  for  in  so  doing  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head.”  We 
have  now  the  opportunity  of  doing  this  both  with  “the  meat  that  perish- 
eth,”  and  with  “ the  bread  and  the  water  of  everlasting  life.”  If  we  had 
not  done  this  we  should  have  been  unworthy  our  reputation  as  a Bible 
nation,  and  if  we  will  not  continue  to  do  it,  “we  must  leave  our  gift  at 
the  altar.”  Already  with  such  “ coals  of  fire”  have  many  of  our  Christian 
people  burned  their  way  into  the  hearts  of  our  prisoners  of  war.  God 
forfend  the  day  when  our  armies  shall  retaliate  the  revolting  cruelties  in- 
flicted upon  many  of  our  own  wounded  and  dead  heroes.  This  book 
shows  us  “ a more  excellent  way.”  And  when  the  war  is  over  we  shall 
have  but  begun  a new  and  more  difficult  career.  As  Milton  sang  to 
Cromwell,  we  shall  find  that 

“Yet  much  remains 

To  conquer  still.  Peace  hath  her  victories 
No  less  renowned  than  war.” 

The  copies  of  the  Scriptures  which  we  now  put  into  the  hands  of  our 
prisoners  of  war  may  become  golden  links  in  that  strong  chain  which  is 
to  bind  the  whole  nation  again  together,  if  it  please  God.  A new  era  for 
the  gospel  and  the  Bible  will  then  begin,  for  we  shall  have  more  work  to 
do  in  re-supplying  the  destitution  of  the  United  States  and  Territories. 
And  the  Spirit  of  God  moving  upon  the  hearts  of  the  nation,  and  the  Son 
of  God  walking  upon  the  waves  of  our  stormy  sea,  will  make  a great 
calm.  So  shall  we  become  that  happy  nation  whose  God  is  the  Lord. 

The  address  of  our  late  revered  President,  at  the  last  anniversary,  was 
an  eloquent  plea  for  this  blessed  volume,  which,  in  the  scope  of  its  pre- 
cepts and  breadth  of  its  charity,  can  reach  all  the  collisions  of  opinion 
and  pacify  the  troubled  waters  of  strife. 

We  are  here  to  day  under  the  shadow  of  this  great  bereavement  by 
which  God  has  taken  from  us  the  very  Daniel  of  the  times.  I was  deeply 
impressed  this  morning  with  the  design  over  the  frame  which  encloses 
the  full-length  portrait  of  this  our  “ man  greatly  beloved,”  which  hangs  in 
the  Managers’  Hall  at  the  Bible  House.  It  represents  an  open  Bible,  and 
behind  it  the  bursting  radiance  of  the  rising  sun.  Sir,  may  we  not  take 
it  as  an  emblem  for  our  position  to  day.  Our  noble  President  has  gone 
to  his  rest,  but  here  is  still  the  open  Bible,  and  yonder  is  that  resplendent 
sun  in  the  heavens  above  us,  while  around  us  is  our  work  for  our  country  and 
for  all  people.  Let  us  evince  our  patriotism  not  only  by  the  flag  that  floats 
above  us  in  the  breezes,  nor  by  the  honours  that  we  pay  to  our  departed 
worthy — let  us  by  years  of  more  munificent  operations  carry  out  the 
legacy  of  his  last  official  utterance.  Let  us  cling  to  our  old  principles — the 
Bible — the  Bible  without  note  or  comment — the  Bible  for  America — the 
Bible  for  the  world.  And  so,  by  the  grace  of  God,  shall  we  do  our  part 
toward  the  solution  of  “ the  great  unfinished  problem”  of  our  national  life. 

The  resolution  was  seconded  by  Rev.  Dr.  Anderson,  and  agreed  to. 


13 


Rev.  Mr.  Kempshall,  of  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  offered  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  co-operation  of  Christians  of  different  names,  for  half  a century, 
in  circulating  a common  Bible  without  note  or  comment,  has  been  happy  in  all  its 
bearings,  and  should  be  universally  encouraged. 

Mr.  President:  The  object  of  the  American  Bible  Society  is  to  spread 
the  Word  of  God  over  the  wide  world,  to  bring  the  knowledge  of  divine 
truth  to  bear  upon  the  mass  of  fallen  humanity,  in  the  firm  faith,  that  in 
so  far  as  this  end  is  accomplished,  by  the  blessing  of  God’s  Holy  Spirit 
accompanying  it,  our  fellow  beings  will  be  elevated  in  the  scale  of  all  that 
ennobles  and  dignifies  man.  I feel  that  from  the  want  of  time  I shall  be 
compelled  to  condense  the  few  remarks  I had  proposed  to  make  in  sup- 
port of  this  resolution,  as  there  are  those  to  follow  me,  who  will  un- 
questionably be  far  more  competent  to  interest  an  audience  than  I am. 

The  prominent  point  in  the  resolution  which  I am  called  upon  to 
vindicate,  is  the  fact  that  the  co-operation  of  this  Society  is  directed  to 
the  circulation  of  a common  Bible  without  note  or  comment.  Upon  this 
point  I purpose  simply  to  offer  a few  words  of  remark.  In  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  Society  it  was  wisely  determined  to  print  and  circulate  the 
Word  of  God,  so  far  as  it  was  given  to  us  by  divine  inspiration  through 
the  agency  of  the  holy  men  of  old  who  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost.  It  may  be  said,  I think,  that  this  original  purpose  has  been 
wisely  adhered  to,  although  from  some  directions  influences  have  been 
brought  to  bear,  tending  perhaps  to  divert  the  Society  from  the  rigid 
tenacity  with  which  it  has  adhered  to  its  purpose ; and,  sir,  the  question 
would  seem  to  present  two  points.  First,  is  it  necessary  to  add 
note  or  comment  to  the  Word  of  God  to  make  it  clear  to  the  understanding 
of  our  fellow  men,  and  is  it  expedient  ? Is  it  necessary  then,  Mr.  President? 
I think  that  none  here  will  take  that  ground.  If  it  had  been  necessary 
that  man  should  add  his  opinion  and  interpretation  of  the  Word  of  God  to 
the  divinely  inspired  letter,  then,  sir,  I think  that  he  should  have  had  some 
divine  intimation  to  that  effect ; and  may  we  not  suppose  that  God  him- 
self would  have  appointed  men  who  should  have  been  directed  by  his 
Spirit  to  give  to  us  an  interpretation  of  his  divine  will.  Was  it  expedi- 
ent under  the  circumstances  in  forming  this  Society  that  these  notes 
or  comments  should  have  been  added  ? In  the  first  place,  it  might  be 
suggested,  that  if  a society  was  to  be  formed  in  which  Christians  of  dif- 
ferent denominations  were  expected  to  co-operate,  and  a committee  had 
been  appointed,  as  doubtless  there  would  have  been,  of  able,  learned,  and 
eminent  divines,  to  combine  their  views  in  these  notes  or  comments 
which  were  to  be  added,  I think  that  at  the  very  outset  great  difficulty, 
and  perhaps  irreconcilable  antagonism,  would  have  been  encountered  in 
the  carrying  out  of  this  work.  These  men,  however  learned  and  pious, 
would  have  come  to  this  work  with  their  minds  deeply  imbued  with  a 


14 


love  of  their  own  peculiar  views  of  faith,  and  interpretation  of  the  Word 
of  God.  And  if  it  required  forbearance,  and  long  and  careful  comparison 
of  views,  in  bringing  to  its  present  high  state  of  perfection  our  common 
translation,  how  much  more  time  and  labour  would  have  been  required  in 
combining  the  views  of  men,  and  bringing  them  to  a point  in  which  they 
could  agree  to  send  forth  a Bible  with  notes  or  comments,  purporting  to 
unfold  the  meaning  of  the  Word  of  God.  And,  sir,  even  supposing  that 
a Bible  with  notes  and  comments,  valuable  as  doubtless  it  would  have 
been,  in  many  respects,  had  been  by  the  agency  of  this  Society  scattered 
abroad,  would  it  not  have  met  with  the  prejudices  of  the  masses  in  the 
different  denominations,  would  it  not  unquestionably  have  tended  to 
thwart  this  very  idea  of  co-operation  ? Some  would  have  been  jealous 
because  their  own  peculiar  views  were  not  presented,  or  because  they  had 
been  suffered,  perchance,  to  have  passed  under  an  eclipse.  I think  such 
a volume  would  have  met  with  somewhat  of  the  same  treatment  that  was 
encountered  by  the  “ Exposition  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,”  in  a little  incident  which  I heard  related  while  I was  a 
student  at  Princeton,  and  which  happened  in  the  experience  of  one  of  the 
students  who  went  forth  to  circulate  the  publications  of  the  Presbyterian 
Board  of  Philadelphia.  In  his  joumevings  through  the  country  he  came 
to  the  house  of  a pious  mother  in  Israel,  a good  old  lady,  who  loved  the 
Word  of  God,  but  did  not  love  so  well  what  seemed  to  her  the  objection- 
able features  of  Calvinism.  In  looking  over  his  little  basket  of  books 
she  found  many  that  she  thought  attractive,  but  she  did  not  discover  any 
thing  that  seemed  to  awaken  in  her  mind  a desire  to  purchase,  until  her 
eye  fell  upon  the  book  entitled,  “ Expositions  of  the  Confession  of  Faith.” 
Her  face  immediately  brightened,  and  holding  up  the  book  she  exclaims, 
“Is  this  an  Exposition  of  the  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith?”  “Yes, 
madam,”  says  the  agent.  “Well,  I will  have  that;  that’s  the  very  book 
I have  been  looking  for  all  my  life ; I have  been  wanting  to  see  that 
thing  exposed  as  long  as  I lived.”  Perhaps  these  notes  or  comments 
might  have  awakened  a desire  to  see  them  exposed  in  the  same  way.  It 
might  be  remarked  here,  that  the  increased  expense  of  publishing  such  a 
Bible  would  have  been  very  great,  whereas  the  great  desire  of  this 
Society  is,  and  ever  should  be,  to  publish  a cheap  Bible  that  shall  be 
scattered  as  leaves  which  are  for  the  healing  of  the  nations,  the  wide 
world  over,  so  that  the  soldier  going  to  the  battle  field,  or  the  sailor 
carrying  the  ensign  of  his  country’s  greatness  all  over  the  earth,  shall 
have  his  own  Bible  and  his  own  Testament. 

Mr.  President,  there  might  be  other  reasons  offered  here  why  it  would 
not  be  expedient  for  this  Society  to  undertake  tq  circulate  the  Bible  with 
note  or  comment ; but  I shall  pass  them  by,  and  proceed  simply  to  offer 
a few  remarks  in  support  of  the  proposition  in  this  resolution,  that  the 
co-operation  of  all  Christian  denominations  in  this  blessed  work  has  been 


15 


most  happy  in  all  its  bearings,  and  should  be  universally  encouraged.  I 
remark,  in  the  first  place,  that  this  co-operation,  this  cordial,  cheerful, 
glorious  union  of  the  disciples  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  our  one  common  head 
and  king,  upon  this  common  platform,  has  been  most  happy  in  its  effect 
upon  the  world.  Alas,  sir,  the  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  presents 
too  often  to  the  world,  which  has  no  sympathy  with  her  in  her  work,  the 
aspect  of  a family  divided,  discordant,  and  belligerent;  and  here  we 
rejoice  that  through  the  agency  of  this  Society,  Christians  who  love  God, 
and  who  desire  to  guide  men  to  that  blessed  Saviour,  and  who  hope  to 
meet  around  his  throne  to  sing  the  song  of  the  redeemed  together,  can 
show  to  the  world,  notwithstanding  all  the  bitterness  and  intensity  of 
theological  polemics,  and  controversy  about  forms  of  government  and  of 
modes  of  worship,  that  underlying  all  this,  the  heart  of  the  great  family  of 
God  beats  in  the  high  and  holy  purpose  of  serving  their  Master,  and  in 
carrying  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to 
the  uttermost  ends  of  the  earth ; that  they  have  something  else  to  do  be- 
sides the  work  of  shouting  a party  shibboleth,  or  crying,  “ the  temple  of 
the  Lord  are  we,”  and  showing  to  the  world  that  is  too  ready  to  look  on 
with  scorn,  mockery,  and  bitter  taunts,  that  all  these  painful  exhibitions 
of  rivalry  and  contention  can  be  laid  aside,  and  that  while  we  love  our 
own  denominations,  and  believe  that  under  God  we  can  most  effectively 
serve  our  Master  within  the  sphere  to  which  we  are  allotted,  yet  we  can 
all  meet,  as  we  do  here  to-day  in  this  building,  with  the  common  flag  of 
our  country  floating  over  us,  and  under  the  common  banner  of  our  great 
Captain,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  with  a united,  solid  phalanx,  can 
move  forward  in  our  great  and  glorious  work.  We  say  to  the  world  that 
we  are  one  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  live  and  die  with  him,  that  we  may 
endeavour  to  bring  men  to  a knowledge  of  the  glorious  privileges  con- 
ferred upon  them  by  the  blessed  Gospel ; and,  Mr.  President,  the  effect  of 
this  co-operation  is  most  happy  upon  the  church  itself.  There  is,  un- 
doubtedly, pervading  the  mass  of  our  Christian  people  an  earnest  desire 
to  see  a more  cordial  and  effective  co-operation ; but  while  the  people 
desire  this,  yet  often  the  leaders  may  stand  in  the  way.  It  is  unquestion- 
ably true  that  theories  of  evangelical  union  and  allegiance,  however  finely 
woven  and  carefully  elaborated,  have  in  their  practical  effects  proved 
oftentimes  a failure;  still,  we  rejoice  in  all  the  labours  of  evangelical 
alliance,  in  so  far  as  they  have  proved  effective.  We  have  seen  the  ex- 
periment tried,  and  accomplishing  but  little  in  its  results ; but,  sir,  here 
we  come  to  day  without  the  encumbrance  of  machinery  carefully  adjusted 
to  prevent  the  preponderating  influence  of  any  one  church  over  another, 
planting  our  feet  upon  the  Word  of  God,  the  service  of  our  common  faith, 
in  so  far  as  we  hold  to  a common  Head,  to  whose  blessed  fountain,  thirsty 
pilgrims  over  life’s  sandy  desert,  we  love  to  come  and  drink,  and  beyond 
which  we  look  forward  to  a home  of  rest  with  the  people  of  God  in  heaven. 


16 


It  sends  a thrill  of  pleasure  through  the  soul  to  see  in  this  audience  so  many 
of  different  denominations  who  love  the  Saviour,  and  who  unite  with  us 
in  this  work,  and  their  presence  here  is  a significant  proof  that  they  love 
this  feature  of  a common  co-operation  in  the  service  of  our  common 
Master. 

There  is  another  point  to  which  I will  allude  as  I draw  to  a conclusion. 
The  effect  of  this  co-operation  of  Christians,  of  different  denominations,  in 
circulating  the  common  Bible,  without  note  or  comment,  has  been  most 
happy  in  its  tendency  to  soften  down  the  asperities,  and  subdue  the  un- 
kind feelings  and  suspicions,  which  sometimes  exist  between  Christians  of 
different  lands,  and  to  bring  them,  although  separated  by  ocean,  mountain, 
and  stream,  together  in  heart,  if  not  in  actual  contact  and  grasp  of  the 
hand,  as  members  of  one  great  family,  having  in  view  one  common  work. 
This  feature  of  this  co-operation  has  been  alluded  to  this  morning ; and, 
sir,  I could  not  hut  remark  the  response  which  the  allusion  to  this  new 
historical  fact — which  will  remain  historical,  I doubt  not,  so  long  as 
the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and  the  American  Bible  Society, 
are  permitted  of  God  to  work  together — received  from  the  audience,  show- 
ing how  deeply  it  had  touched  their  hearts.  Yes  sir,  this  is  one  of  the 
great  and  blessed  effects  of  this  co-operation  that  has  been  brought  about 
so  gloriously  in  these  the  dark  days  of  our  national  trial.  I allude  to  this 
again,  because  I wish  to  mention  an  incident  which  occurred  in  the  life  of 
my  venerated  predecessor  (the  Rev.  Dr.  Murray),  who,  two  years  ago, 
while  on  a tour  through  Europe,  was  permitted  to  be  present  at  the  an- 
niversary of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.  In  the  remarks  which 
he  made  upon  that  occasion,  referring  to  a remark  of  one  of  the  speakers 
preceding  him,  who  had  alluded  to  the  publication  of  a little  book 
called  the  “ Missing  Link,”  and  stating  that  the  book  had  been  republished 
in  his  own  country  and  received  a wide  circulation ; and,  turning  to  the 
president  (the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury)  the  doctor  said,  in  his  usual  happy 
and  courteous  manner,  “ My  lord,  there  is  one  link  which  might  be  welded  in 
this  chain,  binding  our  countries  together,  and  that,  I beg  permission  to 
suggest,  is  a visit  from  the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury  to  the  American  Bible 
Society.  This  would  be  received  by  them  as  a token  from  your  Society 
of  their  sympathy,  and  as  an  expression  of  their  regard  and  co-operation 
with  us,  and  would  be  welcomed  as  a restoration  of  that  which  now  seems 
to  be  a missing  link  between  England  and  America.”  In  his  re- 
ply the  earl  was  pleased  to  say,  that  he  thanked  the  representative 
of  the  American  Bible  Society  for  his  kind  and  courteous  invitation ; and  he 
responded  with  all  his  heart  to  that  expression  of  sympathy  with  them ; 
but  while  he  pleaded  the  infirmities  of  accumulating  years  as  an  excuse  for 
not  undertaking  to  visit  America,  yet  if  he  believed  that  his  presence 
there,  at  a meeting  of  the  Bible  Society,  would  in  any  manner  tend  to 
cement  these  two  great  countries  together,  and  bind  them  yet  closer  to- 


17 


gether  in  tlie  cords  of  fraternal  love,  and  prepare  the  disciples  of  a com- 
mon Lord  in  England  and  America  for  the  hour  when  they  would  be 
called  upon  to  present  an  undivided  front  in  opposition  to  all  the  popish, 
neological,  and  infidel  efforts  which  are  being  made  to  dethrone  the 
Word  of  God  from  its  supremacy  in  the  hearts  of  men — then  he  would 
most  gladly  undertake  that  journey,  at  any  expense,  at  any  risk  or  ex- 
posure of  life  or  health,  “ for,”  said  he,  “ we  in  England  and  America” — 
and  these  are  the  words  of  a distinguished  man  over  whose  name  there  has 
passed  somewhat  of  a cloud  in  our  recent  struggle,  in  the  painful  suspicion 
that  he  did  not  sympathize  with  our  country  in  these  dark  days  as  he 
ought  to,  and  as  we  might  have  expected  from  a Christian  man,  who  loved 
that  Bible  which  we  love,  which  is  the  foundation  of  our  civil  liber- 
ties— “ have  need  to  present  an  undivided  front  in  the  days  of  darkness, 
contest,  and  distrust,  which  are  coming.”  Two  years  ago,  Mr.  President, 
these  prophetic  words  were  uttered.  These  days  of  darkness,  contest,  and 
distrust,  came  upon  us  sooner,  perchance,  than  he  dreamed  of ; and  we 
have  need  indeed  of  a common  feeling  of  love  for  our  common  Saviour  to 
sustain  us  through  this  terrible  trial.  Thank  God,  the  opportunity  came 
when  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  made  good  its  offer  of  sym- 
pathy, expressed  through  the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury  to  Dr.  Murray ; and  in 
a day  when  our  souls  were  depressed,  and  our  hearts  were  made  sad,  not 
only  because  the  waves  of  trouble  rolled  over  us  from  the  uprising  in  our 
own  land,  but  because  from  across  the  great  Atlantic  there  came  threat- 
ening words,  and  a cloud  was  gathering  there,  perchance  no  larger  than 
a man’s  hand,  but  which  seemed  to  be  drifting  over  that  broad  expanse, 
threatening  to  burst  with  its  lightnings  and  thunders  upon  our  heads  in 
the  days  of  our  sorrow ; in  that  day,  amid  all  that  gloom  and  darkness, 
there  came  from  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  this  proffer  of  ten 
thousand  dollars  to  help  us  in  this  hour  of  emergency,  if  it  were  needed. 
Mr.  President,  there  was  the  golden  missing  link.  That  missing  link  was 
proffered  at  the  very  hour  when  we  most  needed  it — a link  made  of  the 
finest  gold ; and  sir,  may  we  not  trust  that  through  the  beautiful,  happy, 
and  courteous  reply  of  this  Society  to  that  proffer,  that  that  missing 
link  was  so  welded  that  it  shall  stand  forever,  holding  us  bound  to  that 
Society — yes,  to  old  England  still — in  love,  in  respect,  and  sympathy  in  the 
Lord  Jesus. 

Upon  this  point,  necessary  to  complete  what  I had  already  said,  I 
proposed  to  answer  the  question,  “how  should  it  be  encouraged  ?”  as  fol- 
lows : First,  by  prayer,  recognizing  entire  dependence  upon  the  blessing 
of  God,  in  order  to  still  more  successful  effort.  Second,  by  endeavouring, 
as  ministers  and  laymen,  to  interest  the  masses  of  the  people,  especially 
those  who  have  been  instructed  in  the  Bible,  and  who  profess  to  love  the 
Word  of  God,  in  the  operations  of  this  Society,  and  so  increase  the  con- 
tributions. Third,  by  seeking  ourselves  to  become  more  thoroughly  ac- 


18 


quainted  with  the  Bible.  Not  simply  familiar  with  the  letter,  but  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  its  teachings ; and  above  all,  with  the  spirit  of  that  bless- 
ed Redeemer,  who  for  our  sakes  became  poor,  and  the  making  known  of 
whom  to  fallen  man  as  the  only  Saviour  from  sin,  to  the  glory  of  God  the 
Father,  is  the  grand  design  of  the  Bible,  and  of  this  Society  for  circula- 
ting the  Word  of  God. 

The  resolution,  having  been  seconded  by  Hon.  E.  A.  Newton,  was 
adopted. 

Rev.  Mr.  Studley,  of  New  Bedford,  Mass. : The  resolution,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent, to  which  I have  been  requested  to  make  a very  few  remarks  is  this : 
Resolved,  That  the  Bible  is  adapted  to  men  in  all  the  conditions  of  life,  and  partic- 
ularly to  those  in  affliction,  and  should  have  a universal  circulation  among  all  families 
and  nations. 

Now,  the  resolution  which  has  just  been  read  may  seem  to  you  and 
the  major  part  of  this  audience  a simple  truism,  because  you  have  made  the 
Bible  your  intimate  companion  and  your  supreme  counsellor  for  so  many 
years,  that  you  need  no  objective  attestation  of  its  value.  And  sir,  the 
man  who  does  not  know  by  actual  study,  and  by  the  experience  of  a per- 
sonal faith  in  its  divine  teachings,  how  precious  a thing  the  Bible  is,  needs 
line  upon  line  of  argument  and  of  testimony  to  enable  him  to  see  the 
truthfulness  of  a proposition  which  you,  and  I,  and  all  of  us,  are  ready 
to  endorse. 

Mr.  President,  I believe  fully  in  the  language  of  the  resolution,  that 
the  Bible  is  adapted  to  the  wants  of  men  in  all  conditions  of  life.  It  must 
be  so,  for  setting  aside  the  fact  of  its  inspiration,  it  is  a book  which  treats 
intelligently  and  instructively  of  almost  every  topic  that  relates  to  the 
vital  interests  of  man.  It  glances  backward  to  the  age  of  chaos  and  old 
night,  and  it  looks  forward  to  the  coming  glory  of  a millenial  morning. 
It  discloses  man’s  origin ; it  prefigures  his  destiny ; it  is  made  up  of  history, 
jurisprudence,  poetry,  and  every  thing  in  fine  that  can  instruct  the 
judgment,  control  the  affections,  and  embellish  the  inner  or  the  outer 
life.  The  longer  I live,  the  more  fully  I am  persuaded  of  the  intrinsic 
value  of  the  Bible  to  mankind  universally.  Its  relations  and  its  precepts 
are  adapted  to  the  moral  necessities  of  every  human  soul.  But  the  reso- 
lution intimates — -and  this  is  the  principal  point  of  my  brief  remarks — 
that  the  Bible  is  particularly  adapted  to  those  who  are  in  affliction. 
However  much  of  happiness  there  is  in  the  world — and  I am  one  of  those 
who  believe  that  in  the  aggregate  there  is  a good  deal — it  is  unquestion- 
ably true  that  there  is  an  immense  deal  of  real  trouble  and  misery.  In 
every  house  there  is  an  unsightly  skeleton  of  some  sort.  The  ghastly 
object  maybe  artfully  concealed  from  the  careless  or  casual  observer;  but 
it  is  there.  You  may  call  at  any  dwelling  in  any  street  of  this  great  city, 
and  if  you  are  endowed  with  the  gift  of  spiritual  insight,  you  will  discover 
something  that  is  afflictive  to  those  who  are  called  to  encounter  it  from 


19 


day  to  day.  Indeed,  the  sources  of  trial  are  so  numerous  and  so  varied, 
that,  in  all  the  multitudinous  throng  of  men,  no  heart  is  left  untouched. 
And  because  trials  and  sorrows  are  thus  common,  it  is  necessary  for  the 
children  of  men  to  have  some  unfailing  but  accessible  source  of  trust  and 
comfort — something  that  shall  keep  them  from  black  despair,  or  that 
which  is  equally  bad,  an  atheistic  stoicism.  This  very  source  of  trust  and 
comfort,  never  failing,  always  accessible,  has  been  furnished  for  our  race 
by  the  love  of  (rod  in  this  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Whoever 
takes  into  his  hand  this  inspired  Word  of  God  and  reads  it  with  a heart 
of  childlike  faith  and  love,  will  find  it  crowded,  literally  crowded,  with 
exceeding  great  and  precious  promises — and  those  promises  are  so  numer- 
ous and  so  varied,  so  delicately  shaded,  that  they  cover  every  conceivable 
instance  of  human  suffering.  Whether  a man’s  temperament  be  sanguine 
or  desponding — whether  his  mind  be  severely  logical  in  its  habits  or  under 
the  more  immediate  control  of  his  emotional  nature — there  is  in  the  Gos- 
pel of  Christ  somewhere,  some  word  of  promise  that  is  especially  suited  to 
his  particular  case.  In  all  the  ages  of  the  Church  of  God  the  demands 
of  all  classes  of  believers  have  been  fully  met  by  the  Spirit  of  God  opera- 
ting through  those  Holy  Scriptures — and,  as  my  brother  Kempshall  has 
said — without  notes  or  comments,  because  they  were  not  needed.  If  a man 
has  sinned  against  God,  however  dark  and  aggravated  his  offence,  the 
Scriptures  held  out  to  that  man  in  the  person  of  Jesus  Christ  a solemn 
pledge  of  God’s  pardoning  power,  and  this  pledge  is  iterated  and  re- 
iterated in  almost  every  conceivable  shape.  There  are  promises  to  parents, 
to  those  who  faithful  to  the  best  of  their  knowledge  in  promoting  the 
welfare  of  their  children — promises  of  comfort  to  the  Christian  parent’s 
heart  in  the  day  of  waywardness  in  his  child.  There  are  promises  also 
that  are  specially  calculated  to  comfort  the  widow  and  the  fatherless — 
promises  to  the  poor,  the  suffering,  and  the  weary.  Indeed,  there  is  no 
devout  believing  heart  or  soul  any  where  that  has  its  trials,  that  may  not 
find  some  word  of  promise  in  the  Scriptures  to  allay  its  grief.  A simple, 
loving,  trustful  spirit  towards  God  is  born  of  the  study  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures— a spirit  which  can  make  the  darkest  hour  of  man’s  probationary 
pilgrimage  radiant  with  joy  and  blessing. 

Now  I will  tell  you  the  simple  results  of  what  I have  seen  in  my  own 
pastoral  relations.  I have  seen  a man  that  was  debased  by  sin  to  the  last 
degree  of  wretchedness  of  which  the  human  soul  was  susceptible,  raised 
by  the  elevating  power  of  the  Scriptures  to  a conscious  heirship  of  eternal 
life.  I have  seen  a person  who  was  so  distorted  with  physical  pain,  that 
almost  every  joint  of  her  body  was  displaced  from  its  socket,  and  yet  her 
comfort  in  the  Scriptures  was  such,  when  I read  them  to  her,  as  to  call 
forth  expressions  of  gratitude  and  of  praise  from  her  lips.  I have  seen  a 
man  who  was  so  poor,  that  he  seemed  to  have  fathomed  the  lowest  deep 
of  poverty — Shakspeare’s  steeping  a man  in  poverty  to  the  very  lips  was 


20 


nothing  to  it — and  yet  I have  seen  that  man  so  inspired  in  his  hopes  by 
the  Holy  Scriptures  as  to  make  them  more  than  a match  for  his  earthly 
deprivations.  There  is  no  limit  to  the  strengthening,  comforting  power 
of  the  Scriptures  upon  the  believing  soul.  I have  seen  the  father  of  a 
wayward  child,  in  spite  of  his  trouble,  through  the  operations  of  this 
power  of  trust  in  the  Scriptures,  walk  tranquilly,  hopefully,  and  peacefully 
before  the  Lord.  I have  seen  the  wife  of  a drunkard  and  gambler,  in  her 
trust  in  God  lifted  above  the  indulgence  of  one  murmuring  thought ; and 
I have  seen  a mother,  as  loving  as  any  mother  in  this  house  this  morn- 
ing, stand  by  the  grave  of  her  infant  child  without  one  murmuring 
thought  in  her  heart  towards  God,  because  of  the  fulness  of  her  trust  in 
those  blessed  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ — “ Suffer  the  little  children 
to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not” — and  because  of  her  trust  in  that 
narrative  of  the  Evangelist  which  says,  that  when  Jesus  Christ  had  spoken 
those  words,  he  took  the  little  ones  up  in  his  arms,  laid  his  hands  upon 
them  and  blessed  them.  Not  only  in  this  specific  case,  but  in  all  con- 
ceivable cases  of  trial,  the  Scriptures  are  a secure  hiding  place  from  afflic- 
tion. They  are  the  wings  of  God  under  which  the  soul  may  abide  in 
peace  and  safety.  And  because  the  Scriptures  are  thus  adapted  to  the 
wants  of  men  in  all  conditions  of  life,  and  particularly  in  affliction,  the 
resolution  before  us  declares  that  they  shall  have  universal  circulation 
among  the  families  of  nations.  I need  not  argue  the  point  to  this  intelli- 
gent audience.  It  has  been  announced  as  the  policy  of  the  American 
Bible  Society  for  forty-six  years,  as  its  highest  duty  to  God  and  man;  and 
I only  say  to  you,  and  to  those  connected  with  you  in  the  Society — those 
of  you  who  have  charge  of  this  holy  work  or  mission — be  faithful  to  your 
trust,  continue  to  scatter  the  Scriptures  pure  and  unadulterated  by  note 
or  comment,  all  abroad  in  the  earth.  Place  a copy  in  every  human 
dwelling,  in  every  traveller’s  bedroom,  in  every  ship’s  cabin,  in  every  sol- 
dier’s knapsack,  in  every  sailor’s  chest.  Our  brother  from  Philadelphia 
(Rev.  Dr.  Taylor),  in  speculating  this  morning  upon  the  probable  fate  of 
many  of  these  Bibles  and  Testaments,  stated  that  doubtless  many  of  them 
were  lost,  that  many  remained  unopened.  Yes,  there  may  be  weeks 
and  months  even,  during  which  these  volumes  will  not  be  opened,  and  in 
which  they  lie  at  the  bottom  of  the  sailor’s  chest,  or  the  soldier’s  knap- 
sack, or  upon  the  table  in  the  traveller’s  bedroom,  or  in  the  saloon  of  the 
steamship ; but  there  is  this  blessed  difference  between  the  Scriptures  and 
the  human  teachers,  that  they  are  patient  waiters  for  man’s  slow  and  irre-' 
ligious  movements ; and  when  in  the  bed  of  affliction  man  comes  to  them 
with  his  heart  all  torn,  crushed,  and  bleeding,  instead  of  chiding  him  for 
not  coming  sooner,  they  are  ready  to  open  their  leaves  and  pour  into  his 
bruised  heart  the  oil  of  divine  grace  and  comfort.  These  old  men  here 
to  day  could  probably  narrate  a thousand  instances,  like  that  of  a friend 
of  mine,  who,  being  shut  up  on  a stormy  Sabbath  day  in  a country  inn, 


21 


where  there  was  no  book,  no  newspaper  to  be  had,  nothing  but  the  Bible, 
asked  the  landlord  to  let  him  have  that,  and  by  his  reading  of  that  blessed 
Book  on  that  stormy  Sabbath  day,  he  made  a life-long  acquaintance  with 
the  fact  of  God’s  fatherhood  and  love  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  he  was  for  a 
long  series  of  years  a faithful  preacher  of  the  Gospel. 

In  view  of  all  that  has  been  said  this  morning,  and  in  view  of  the  ten 
thousand  things  that  might  be  said,  I pray,  Mr.  President,  that  in  years 
to  come,  as  in  years  past,  this  Society  may  have  the  substantial  sympathy 
of  all  branches  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  enjoy  the  blessings  of  God 
upon  its  endeavours  to  give  the  Scriptures  of  Divine  truth  a universal  cir- 
culation in  all  the  haunts  and  habitations  of  the  children  of  men. 

The  resolution  was  seconded  by  Dr.  Thomas  Cock,  and  agreed  to. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Randall,  of  Boston,  offered  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  spirit  of  the  age  and  the  condition  of  the  country  demand  re- 
newed and  increased  efforts  in  the  work  of  Bible  distribution. 

We  live  indeed  in  exciting  times,  in  times  when  the  issues  of  the  hour 
are  made  mementoes,  involving  as  they  do  the  very  destiny  of  the  country. 
But  this  is  not  all.  We  live  in  an  extraordinary  age — an  age  that  is 
leaving  its  mark  upon  the  world,  and  is  to  make  our  day  distinguished 
from  all  the  days  that  have  gone  before ; and  in  the  calendar  of  the  world, 
it  is  an  age  in  which  the  march  of  intellect,  and  the  triumphs  of  art  and 
science,  were  never  more  abundant  and  never  more  brilliant.  It  is  an  age 
of  great  progress  in  every  department  of  life,  moral,  social,  and  political ; 
but  it  is  a fact,  not  to  be  disguised  here  or  elsewhere,  that  this  tide  of 
progress  has  reached  a point  where  civilization  is  beginning  the  fearful 
work  of  re-acting  upon  itself.  The  Bible  is  the  source  of  all  civilization ; 
all  true  progress  takes  its  rise  in  the  fountain  of  inspiration.  God’s  Holy 
Book  is  what  the  Son  of  God  pronounced  it  to  be,  the  light  of  the  world. 
This  is  not  less  a philosophical  than  a historic  fact.  Who  are  the  nations  to 
day  sitting  in  darkness  and  death,  and  grovelling  in  barbarism  ? They 
are  those  on  whom  this  light  has  never  shone,  who  have  never  read  this 
Holy  Book,  and  who  know  nothing  of  its  saving  presence,  nothing  of  its 
power.  On  the  other  hand,  who  are  the  nations  on  the  face  of  the  earth 
that  have  reached  the  highest  point  of  civilization?  Who  are  they,  but 
those  where  the  light  of  God’s  Word  has  shone  clearest  and  steadiest, 
and  been  most  universally  diffused  ? Who  are  those  nations  between 
these  two  extremes  of  light  and  darkness,  but  those  where  that  Word  has 
been  loaded  down  with  tradition,  where  it  has  been  withheld  from  the 
people,  and  where  it  has  been  obscured  ? The  Bible,  then,  is  the  true 
source  of  civilization.  Take  that  civilization  and  divorce  the  Word  of 
God  from  it,  and  what  is  it  ? What  are  the  elements  of  civilization  ? Are 
they  not  liberty,  learning,  and  material  wealth  ? What  are  the  tendencies 
of  these  when  left  to  themselves  ? What  is  the  tendency  of  liberty  but  to 


22 


license,  of  learning  but  to  infidelity,  and  of  material  prosperity  but  to  irre- 
ligion  and  infidelity  ? Therefore  the  Bible  is,  and  is  to  be,  the  great  con- 
servator of  civilization.  We  have  an  illustration  of  this  in  our  own  land  at 
this  very  hour.  We  have  become,  indeed,  a very  extraordinary  people. 
God  has  been  pleased,  through  the  influences  of  this  high  civilization,  to 
grant  to  us  a degree  of  wealth  and  prosperity  such  as  the  world  has  never 
looked  upon.  This  nation  to  day  is  enjoying  more  power  than  it  knows 
what  to  do  with.  It  has  more  liberty  than  it  can  wisely  use — more 
knowledge  than  it  can  wisely  employ  ; — and  yet  what  are  the  tendencies? 
He  must  be  blind  indeed  who  does  not  discover  the  tendencies  to  infidelity 
in  politics,  in  intellect,  and  in  the  material  power  of  the  land  ? 

It  has  been  well  said  here  to  day,  that  in  the  early  struggles  of  this 
country  for  its  independence,  the  first  Congress  was  a Bible  Society. 
While  we  were  a few,  feeble  folk,  while  we  were  greatly  distressed,  and 
struggling  for  the  blessings  now  within  our  reach,  we  were  comparatively 
a pious  people.  How  long  did  we  remain  so  ? How  long  was  that  Con- 
gress a Bible  Society  ? However  long  it  may  have  been,  it  is  certainly 
not  one  now.  When  this  country  made  its  constitution,  it  forgot  to  re- 
member God.  His  name  is  not  in  it;  His  being  is  not  recognized  there. 
They  forgot  Him  then,  and  they  have  been  forgetting  Him  ever  since. 
What  is  the  tendency  of  this  large  liberty  which  we  have  enjoyed  in 
every  phase  of  it  ? Is  it  not  to  licentiousness  ? This  people  have  drunk  at 
that  fountain  of  civil  liberty  until  they  have  become  intoxicated,  and  have 
come  to  believe  that  the  people  are  the  god  of  the  government ; that  the 
ballot  box,  and  not  Heaven,  is  the  source  of  all  power.  What  is  true  in 
politics  is  true  also  in  letters.  The  infidelity  of  intellect  is  apparent  every 
where,  in  high  places  as  well  as  in  low.  We  see  it  in  that  rationalism 
which,  while  it  would  dethrone  Almighty  God,  would  erect  reason  into  a 
deity,  and  bow  down  before  it — that  begets  a neology  that  emboldens  men 
with  impious  hands  to  undertake  the  feeble  work  of  hurling  works  of  sci- 
ence against  the  Word  of  Almighty  God.  It  is  the  infidelity  of  material  pros- 
perity that  emboldens  people  to  say,  as  they  do — “ Behold,  the  Babylon 
which  we  have  built;  our  hands  have  gotten  this  wealth.”  Is  not  that  the 
language  of  the  people  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land,  when 
you  interpret  it  from  their  actions?  Now,  what  is  the  remedy  for  this? 
Here,  to  the  eye  of  the  intelligent  Christian,  the  Bible  is  found  more  than 
ever  the  book  for  the  times.  It  is,  and  it  is  to  be,  the  great  conservator 
of  civilization.  There  is  no  power  whatever  in  the  elements  of  civilization 
to  sustain  itself.  If  the  influence  of  God’s  authority  and  of  his  Word  be 
withdrawn,  the  tendencies  are,  as  I have  described  them  to  be ; and  it  is 
only,  therefore,  by  circulating  this  Book,  and  bringing  it  immediately  into 
contact  with  the  people,  that  you  can  counteract  them.  I do  not  believe 
that  the  authors  of  infidel  essays  and  reviews,  or  that  the  politicians  of 
his  country,  will  be  converted  by  the  American  Bible  Society  sending  a 


23 


volume  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  to  them.  Some  of  them,  I am  afraid,  are 
beyond  conversion ; but  the  mass  of  the  people,  of  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, who  are  liable  to  be  deceived  and  imposed  upon  by  these  men  in 
the  world  of  letters,  and  in  the  world  of  politics,  will  be  guarded  from  harm, 
and  preserved  by  the  presence  and  power  of  that  Holy  Word.  How  is  that 
to  be  done?  I answer:  not  simply  and  solely  because  the  Bible  is  a 
book  pre-eminently  distinguished  from  all  other  books.  Here  is  a volume 
of  wisdom  such  as  the  world  has  never  seen  before.  Here  is  a system  of 
jurisprudence  such  as  the  world  has  never  produced.  Here  are  lessons  of 
love,  and  there  are  none  such  in  the  world.  Here  are  exhibitions  of  holi- 
ness and  descriptions  of  vice ; here  are  the  rewards  of  righteousness,  and 
the  penalties  of  sin.  We  might  well  say  that  such  a book,  with  such  con- 
tents spread  abroad  throughout  the  community,  would  conserve  that  com- 
munity, and  hold  it  harmless  against  all  the  mischief  of  rationalism,  infi- 
delity, letters,  and  politics.  But,  Mr.  President,  this  Bible  is  not  only  a 
book  with  all  these  excellencies,  with  all  these  pre-eminent  distinctions, 
but  it  is  the  handwriting  of  Almighty  God.  There  is  a message  from 
Heaven  to  earth ; there  is  a transcript  of  the  Divine  mind ; there  are  the 
thoughts  and  the  laws  of  Jehovah  himself ; there  is  what  the  Holy  Ghost 
has  written.  It  stands  here,  a revelation,  with  a glory  and  a power  of  its 
own.  When  we  are  born  we  find  it  here,  and  when  we  die  we  shall 
leave  it  here ; and  when  the  heavens  roll  away  as  a parched  scroll,  and 
the  elements  melt  with  fervent  heat,  its  principles  will  abide,  and  that  for 
ever. 

How,  that  is  God’s  work,  and  he  has  sent  it  into  this  world  to  accom- 
plish a purpose,  and  that  purpose  is  to  elevate  humanity.  He  has  reached 
down  from  his  throne  to  the  lowest  depths  of  that  humanity.  He  has 
put  his  arm  of  Almighty  love  under  it.  He  has  surrounded  it  with  this 
arm  of  his  own,  and  he  will  lift  it  up,  until  it  not  only  reaches  the 
highest  point  of  civilization,  but  he  will  continue  to  raise  it  up  until  it 
reaches  heaven,  his  own  throne.  The  Holy  Ghost  wrote  this  Book,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost  has  never  yet  been  divorced  from  it.  The  seed  of  eternal 
life  is  wrapped  up  in  it,  and  whatever  may  become  of  it  to  human  view, 
however  it  may  seem  to  die  by  man’s  neglect  or  by  man’s  contempt,  it  is 
not  lost  from  the  view  of  God.  His  eye  watches  it ; his  presence  blesses 
it ; his  Spirit  accompanies  it,  and  it  will  effect  the  work  which  it  has  been 
sent  to  do,  and  that  work,  among  others,  is  the  all  conservative  influence 
in  saving  what  it  produces,  in  the  form  of  an  elevated  civilization.  This 
Society,  then,  should  receive  a new  impulse  in  prosecuting  with  renewed 
efforts  this  great  and  glorious  work,  if  it  would  save  the  country  and  the 
race. 

A remark  or  two  in  regard  to  the  conditions  of  the  country.  I do 
not  now  allude  to  its  condition  as  involved  in  this  terrible  revolution. 
That  has  been  already  sufficiently  spoken  of ; but  there  is  one  point  to 


24 


which  I desire  to  call  your  attention,  and  which  I think  is  a fact  that 
should  forcibly  second  the  resolution  I have  offered.  The  condition  of 
the  old  world  is  such  as  to  produce  an  expulsive  power  as  felt  hv  its  in- 
habitants— the  condition  of  the  new  world  is  such  as  to  exert  an 
attractive  power ; and  these  two  powers  together  have  raised  the  tidal 
wave  of  emigration  until  tens  and  hundreds  of  thousands  from  the  old 
world  have  not  only  reached  these  shores,  but  from  our  eastern  coast 
they  have  gone  to  our  western  prairies.  How  rapid  has  that  tide  been 
moving ! It  has  been  swifter  than  the  progress  of  the  church,  swifter 
than  the  march  of  missionaries,  and  the  men,  women,  and  children,  em- 
barked upon  it  have  been  carried  away  from  the  church,  and  from  the 
ministry.  Thousands  of  families  may  be  found  in  some  portions  of  our 
country  where  there  is  no  divi  Institution  but  the  Sabbath,  and  which 
they  have  carried  in  their  hearts  and  memories,  but  which  is  fast  fading 
out  of  both.  The  church  is  far  behind  them ; the  missionaries  have  not 
reached  them,  and  may  never  come  in  the  day  of  many  of  them.  Now, 
what  shall  be  done?  Here  is  God’s  inspired  Word,  which  is  the  Word 
of  Life.  Shall  they  be  left  there,  immortal  souls  to  die,  and  be  lost  for- 
ever? Shall  they  be  left  there  to  educate  their  children  without  a 
knowledge  of  the  truth,  children  who  are  to  become  citizens,  voters,  and 
rulers,  in  whose  hands  the  destinies  of  this  nation  are  very  soon  to  be 
committed ; or  shall  this  Society  arise  in  the  majesty  of  its  might,  and 
with  a generous  liberality  such  as  those  who  are  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  our  fellow  men  will  furnish  them  with,  flood  that  whole  land  with  the 
Word  of  God,  and  give  them  that  which  they  do  not  now  possess,  and  for 
the  want  of  which  they  are  perishing. 

Here  I think  is  a grand  opportunity  for  a grand  work.  Let  the 
patriot,  the  philanthrophist,  and  the  Christian,  in  view  of  the  wants  of 
the  country,  in  view  of  the  signs  of  the  times,  in  view  of  the  issues 
that  are  now  upon  us,  show  by  his  liberality,  show  by  his  consistent  con- 
duct, show  by  his  interest  in  such  an  institution  as  this,  how  much  he 
loves  his  country,  how  much  he  loves  his  fellow-men,  and  how  much  he 
loves  his  God. 

The  resolution  was  seconded  by  Wm.  B.  Crosby,  Esq.,  and  agreed  to. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  H.  Cox  pronounced  the  benediction,  and  the 
meeting  adjourned. 


II.  PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES 


BY  PROF.  F.  D.  HUNTINGTON. 


In  all  the  principal  seats  of  learning  in  the  United  States  there  is 
a daily  social  service  of  devotion  for  the  students.  We  are  not  aware 
of  a single  exception  to  this  religious  usage.  There  is  doubtless  an 
extensive  and  spreading  impatience  of  religious  forms ; there  are  ten- 
dencies in  American  society  and  in  our  political  institutions  which 
operate  to  heighten  this  jealousy;  there  are  habits  of  speculation 
which  foster  distrust  of  everything  like  constraint  or  fixed  ceremony 
in  the  concerns  of  faith ; even  among  some  avowed  Christian  believers, 
and  in  the  name  of  a special  spirituality,  there  exists  a theory  that  every 
exercise  of  worship  is  false  which  is  not  strictly  spontaneous,  and  accord- 
ingly that  to  compel  attendance  on  a prayer  is  both  an  absurdity  in  ad- 
ministration and  an  affront  to  piety.  But,  thus  far,  these  views  have 
not,  where  our  knowledge  extends,  organized  any  considerable  semi- 
nary, for  either  sex,  in  which  the  inmates  are  not  regularly  assembled 
to  own  their  daily  dependence  on  the  Almighty  Father,  to  confess 
Christ,  and  to  implore  the  gifts  of  the  Spirit.  Whatever  the  notions 
or  doubts  of  educators  may  be,  it  seems  to  be  practically  felt  that 
some  sort  of  moral  power  is  lodged  in  such  an  observance.  An  indis- 
tinct sense  lingers  in  the  mind  that  somehow  the  interests  most  sacred 
and  most  prized,  in  these  assemblies  of  youths,  are  at  least  safer  with  it 
than  without  it.  Whether  its  essential  spiritual  comeliness  and  dig- 
nity are  generally  recognized  or  not,  the  venerable  traditions  of  Christ- 
endom sustain  it  and  demand  it.  To  a literary  institution  wholly 
renouncing  it,  the  community  would  find  a grave  difficulty  in  contin- 
uing its  confidence. 

With  the  right-minded  guardians  and  officers  of  education  it  be- 
comes a vital  and  important  question,  how  to  conduct  these  exercises 
so  that  they  shall  fulfil  the  manifest  purpose  of  their  appointment ; 
have  a spirit  as  well  as  a shape ; bring  a devout  sacrifice  as  well  as  a 
bodily  attendance ; diffuse  a hallowing  influence  over  the  restless  and 
eager  life  congregated  there ; awaken  strong  resolves  and  pure  aspira- 
tions , call  down  the  answer  and  benediction  of  Heaven.  In  many 


24 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


instances,  as  we  have  abundant  reason  to  believe,  the  method  is  far 
from  satisfactory  either  to  those  that  listen  or  those  that  lead.  Some- 
times the  whole  performance  appears  like  a performance  merely,  — a 
mechanical  repetition,  a lifeless  routine,  negative  at  best,  a scenic 
exhibition,  too  familiar  to  be  interesting,  and  too  bare  to  be  beautiful, 
— a simulacrum.  But  it  is  instantly  known  that  it  cannot  be  that, 
without  being  something  worse  than  that.  Professing  to  be  com- 
munion with  Grod,  the  highest  and  holiest  of  all  acts  of  which  man  is 
capable,  the  moment  it  degenerates  into  a heartless  function  it  falls 
below  respectability  into  profanity,  becoming  as  offensive  to  the  Om- 
niscient Majesty  as  it  is  irksome  to  the  compelled  participators. 
Sometimes  the  occasion  is  one  of  listlqssness.  Sometimes  it  is  a scene 
of  positive  disorder.  So  many  are  the  elements  to  be  reconciled,  in 
fact,  and  so  delicate  the  conditions  of  a sacred  success,  that  it  maybe 
said,  we  presume,  without  hazard,  that  the  result  is  very  rarely  all 
that  is  desired. 

Perhaps  the  first  condition  of  any  adequate  benefit  from  the  ser- 
vice is  that  it  be  treated  by  all  that  are  responsible  for  it  as  a reality ; 
as  what  it  pretends  to  be ; as  real  prayer.  After  all,  to  a striking 
degree,  the  tone  and  manner  of  a whole  institution  will  insensibly  take 
their  character  from  the  manifest  spirit  and  bearing  of  its  principal  con- 
ductors. Let  it  be  plain  to  every  hearer  and  witness  that  in  these 
gatherings  there  is  more  than  a pretence  of  praying.  Let  it  be  seen 
that  in  one  at  least,  in  him  who  is  speaking,  and  in  as  many  as  do  truly 
accompany  him,  man  is  verily  speaking  to  his  Maker,  and  speaking  in 
an  humble  expectation  that  he  shall  be  heard; — telling  his  real  wants, 
acknowledging  sins  that  he  really  deplores,  breathing  requests  for  helps 
and  blessings  that  he  really  desires.  A nameless  power  and  impres- 
sion will  inevitably  go  with  such  devotions.  Artifice  will  be  driven 
out.  The  ingenuities  of  invention,  in  thought  or  phrase,  will  never  so 
pass  the  line  of  simplicity  as  to  trespass  on  the  awful  sanctity  of 
the  Ineffable  Presence  invoked.  Excess  of  human  elaboration  and 
indolent  neglect  are  equally  alien  from  a veritable  intercourse  with  the 
Father  of  spirits.  And  nowhere  is  either  error  more  likely  to  be  seen 
through  and  despised  than  in  an  auditory  of  young  men.  Their  quick 
moral  instincts,  and  their  yet  unperverted  habit  of  judging  without 
the  bias  of  a mere  current  and  institutional  propriety,  render  them 
accurate  and  searching  critics  of  sincerity. 

Were  the  modern  naturalistic  theory  of  prayer  and  its  effects  to 
be  generally  accepted,  our  suggestions  would,  of  course,  be  imperti- 
nent. That  theory,  making  all  devotion  not  only  dramatic,  but  illu- 
sory, and  ascribing  all  its  apparent  effects  to  a reactionary  excitement  of 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


25 


the  worshipper’s  own  faculties,  turns  the  idea  of  reality  into  ridicule. 
We  are  to  go  through  the  genuflexion,  the  mumbling,  the  expectant 
posture,  the  use  of  the  vocative  case,  the  solemn  tone  and  pleading 
cadence,  and  measured  form  of  stately  language,  just  as  if  God  heard 
and  might  answer,  but  with  a perfectly  cool  private  understanding 
of  the  philosophical  mind,  all  the  while,  that  the  display  is  purely 
scenic,  the  Deity  himself  being  as  much  removed  from  the  transaction 
as  he  is  from  the  praying-machine  of  the  Eastern  idolater.  Indeed, 
is  there  a Deity  left?  Where  is  he  ? What  is  his  care  for  his  crea- 
tures ? Of  what  nature  are  those  affections  that  enjoin  prayer  as  a 
duty,  under  a promise  that  it  shall  be  heard,  only  to  cheat  first  the 
credulous  intellect,  and  then  mock  the  disappointed  heart?  This  can- 
not be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  J esus  Christ,  who 
was  so  wonderfully  and  tenderly  revealed  to  his  children,  when  it  was 
affirmed  of  him  that  he  numbers  the  hairs  of  their  heads,  and  notices 
the  fall  of  the  sparrow,  and  who  has  compressed  the  whole  mystery 
and  rationale  of  prayer  into  the  one  gracious  and  eternal  pledge,  — 
“ Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask,  believing,  that  shall  ye  receive.”  Nothing 
can  more  effectually  dissipate  veneration  and  explode  worship,  whether 
among  the  young  or  the  old,  than  this  superficial  and  impious  inter- 
pretation, which  is  offered  by  some  nominal  teachers  of  the  Bible  to 
their  pupils.  It  justifies  the  worst  sneers  that  recklessness  and  infi- 
delity have  thrown  at  a histrionic,  hypocritical  priesthood.  It  is 
as  short-sighted  and  self-contradictory  as  it  is  insulting  to  our  man- 
hood. If  we  are  to  pray  only  to  warm  our  emotions,  kindle  our  ener- 
gies, elevate  our  mood,  under  the  delusion  that  we  are  heard,  as  by  a 
fetch,  while  He  to  whom  the  offering  professes  to  ascend  sits  with 
sublime  unconcern  in  a distant  chamber  of  the  universe,  or  slumbers 
like  Brahm,  then  it  is  obvious  only  they  will  pray  who  have  not  yet 
found  out  the  secret  of  the  trick;  and  to  explain  the  nature  of  the  exer- 
cise, or  to  offer  a reason  for  it,  will  be  to  dispel  the  charm  and  abolish 
the  practice ! Probably  the  notion  was  broached  to  protect  the  uniform- 
ity of  what  are  called  the  laws  of  nature,  and  is  a part  of  the  qualified 
Pantheism  that  is  so  apt  to  attend  certain  stages  of  an  immature  and 
conceited  science.  But  Nature’s  reputation  is  not  to  be  saved  by 
limiting  the  freedom  or  power  of  God.  We  shall  not  vindicate  cre- 
ation by  binding  the  Creator.  How  it  is  that  the  free-will  of  God  plays 
into  the  order  of  his  works,  and  yet  that  he  heareth  and  considereth  the 
faint  cry  of  the  least  of  his  poor  offspring,  is  a wonder  tha,t  science  will 
not  solve,  at  least  till  it  passes  over  from  its  acknowledged  province 
of  analyzing,  classifying  and  discovering  facts,  to  define  and  exhibit 
the  essence  of  being.  No : Education,  from  its  very  beginnings,  must 


26 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


render  unto  faith  the  things  that  are  faith’s.  The  outward  exer- 
cises of  adoration  must  rest  on  a serene,  immovable  confidence  in 
the  personality  of  God,  in  the  communications  of  his  Spirit  to  man, 
in  his  willingness  to  draw  nigh  to  them  that  draw  nigh  to  him,  in  all 
those  emotional  attributes  that  move  his  Infinite  Heart  to  answer  to 
the  sigh  of  pain,  the  tremblings  of  fear,  the  throb  of  hope,  the  anguish 
of  penitence,  and  the  joyful  upspringing  of  love  in  every  tempted 
and  erring  child.  There  must  be  a reality.  Except  for  this  it 
will  be  vain  to  make  room,  in  the  curriculum  of  secular  institutions, 
for  sanctimonious  addresses  to  the  Most  High.  To  preceptors  and 
pupils  alike,  the  ceremonies  of  the  chapel,  so  far  from  being  effectual, 
will  not  even  be  decent,  but  a dismal  conspiracy  of  mutual  imposi- 
tion and  make-believe,  — an  awful  initiation  not  only  into  the  darkness 
of  unbelief,  but  into  the  crime  of  a sacrilegious  lie. 

The  particular  circumstances  of  a literary  institution  will  naturally 
impart  a somewhat  local  and  special  character  to  the  petitions  and 
thanksgivings  offered  "before  its  members.  Young  men  are  not  insen- 
sible to  this  direct  and  peculiar  reference  to  their  wants.  It  touches 
their  feelings  and  carries  them  more  easily  up  to  the  Mercy-Seat. 
Thorough  and  relentless  despisers  of  every  species  of  cant,  and  com- 
monly sensitive  to  sentimentalism,  no  class  of  persons  will  be  found 
more  readily  and  cordially  to  appreciate  a kind  word  or  a considerate 
desire  in  their  behalf.  Whatever  the  negligence  of  that  external  air 
which,  in  youth,  is  so  often  found  to  be  the  uncomely  and  graceless 
mask  of  honest  gratitude  and  trust,  they  still  like  to  know  that  their 
teachers  care  enough  for  their  best  welfare  really  to  pray  for  it. 
Thoughtless  and  impulsive  in  their  hours  of  social  amusement,  they 
are  yet  bound  in  esteem  and  affection  to  those  set  over  them,  who 
remember  their  troubles,  sympathize  with  their  conflicts  and  discour- 
agements, and  entreat  God  to  bless  their  life,  their  homes,  their  friends, 
their  studies,  their  reciprocal  relations  with  their  instructors,  their 
bodies,  their  sports.  And,  therefore,  allusions  to  the  passing  events  of 
their  experience,  to  the  little  incidents  of  the  community,  and  to  their 
individual  trials,  if  made  in  a manly  tone  and  with  some  delicacy  of 
expression,  are  apt  to  engage  their  interest,  and  aid  the  best  impres- 
sion of  the  service.  The  differing  usages  of  sects,  as  well  as  early 
associations,  will  have  much  to  do  in  determining  the  frequency  and 
particularity  of  such  allusions.  It  is  of  the  utmost  consequence 
to  avoid  what  may  provoke  comments,  excite  curiosity,  or  raise  so 
much  as  a question  of  taste.  Undoubtedly  those  are  everywhere  the 
best  public  prayers  which  at  once  enlist  the  most  entire  and  respect- 
ful attention,  by  their  fitness,  variety  and  earnestness,  while  they  are 


PUBLIC  PRATERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


27 


being  offered,  and  are  afterwards  treated  with  silence.  For,  in  respect 
to  worship,  considered  as  a product  of  human  thought  or  original- 
ity, silence  is  a higher  tribute  than  the  most  approving  criticism 
— except,  perhaps,  in  those  confidential  intimacies  where  friends  take 
sacred  counsel  together  about  the  deepest  things.  And  whatever 
the  specific  mention  of  the  supplication  may  be,  it  will  never  be 
invested  with  so  august  a dignity,  nor  raised  so  completely  above  all 
cavil  or  levity,  as  when  it  can  be  put  into  some  words  out  of  the 
Inspired  Book. 

It  is  an  interesting  inquiry,  what  other  exercises  should  attend  the 
offering  of  prayer.  But  in  this  regard  we  apprehend  there  is  already 
a considerable  uniformity  of  usage,  and  that  the  simple  schedule  usu- 
ally followed  is  not  far  from  the  best.  Of  course  the  Scriptures  will 
be  read.  Here  again  let  there  be  no  formality.  Let  the  passages  be 
selected  from  different  parts  of  the  volume ; and  they  may  be  profita- 
bly selected  from  almost  every  part  of  both  the  New  Testament  and  the 
Old.  Sometimes  a consecutive  passage,  or  even  a short  book  may  be 
read  on  successive  days,  with  a certain  advantage  in  keeping  up  the 
connection  in  the  narrative  or  argument.  But  sequences  of  that  sort 
often  fall,  we  have  thought,  into  a kind  of  visible  mechanism,  which 
young  men  do  not  love.  It  looks  like  a saving  of  trouble,  and  they 
feel  put  upon.  Further,  the  Bible  is  not  to  be  read  as  if  it  were  an 
exercise  in  elocution.  The  grand  object  is  to  bring  out  the  meaning, 
and  get  it  in  contact  with  the  hearer’s  soul,  with  as  little  showing  of 
self  as  possible.  Whoso  has  reached  into  the  depths  of  the  Bible’s 
heart  will  read  it  well.  Some  men’s  reading  of  it  is  more  original, 
more  suggestive  of  new  ideas,  than  some  other  men’s  sermons.  And 
this  is  no  declaimer’s  device.  It  comes  by  a profound  spiritual  ac- 
quaintance with  the  inmost  sense  of  that  revelation  of  the  mind  of 
Christ.  Whether  brief  remarks  could  be  profitably  thrown  in,  not  to 
convey  doctrine,  but  simply  to  uncover  and  explain  the  text,  is  worthy 
of  consideration. 

In  some  of  our  colleges  the  Scriptures  and  the  prayer  are  accom- 
panied by  a hymn,  sung  by  a choir,  or,  perhaps  better  yet,  by  the 
general  body  of  the  students.  We  are  convinced  the  value  of  this 
addition  cannot  well  be  over-estimated.  In  all  true,  simple  sacred 
music  there  is  a nameless  effect  of  good,  against  which  few  exceptional 
breasts  are  wholly  steeled.  It  falls  in  with  the  better  inclinations  and 
hopes.  It  soothes  irritability.  It  abates  appetite.  It  shames  mean- 
ness and  lust.  It  assists  the  incipient  resolves  of  the  penitent.  It 
comforts  grief.  It  puts  the  whole  mind  into  a more  appropriate  atti- 
tude for  the  prayer  that  comes  after,  unconsciously  opening  the  hidden 


28 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


avenues  by  which  heavenly  blessings  flow  down  to  nourish  the  growths 
of  character.  Probably  this  effect  lies  more  with  the  strain  of  har- 
mony than  with  the  words.  Hence  the  greatest  pains  and  discretion 
are  to  be  used  in  fixing  the  style  of  the  music,  — seeking  to  combine 
the  noblest  practicable  artistic  with  the  purest  religious  expression, 
attaining  animation  without  a florid  movement,  and  solemnity  rather 
than  surprises  or  startling  transitions.  Operatic  flourishes  and  com- 
plicated fugues  are  as  much  out  of  place  in  chapel  as  rhetorical  con- 
fessions of  sin.  Chants,  if  there  is  patience  enough  for  the  discipline 
and  practice,  are  more  appropriate  for  praise  than  any  kind  of  psalm- 
ody. If  a hymn  is  sung,  let  it  be  a hymn.  A hymn  is  not  a chapter 
of  didactics,  nor  a moral  essay,  nor  a piece  of  reasoning,  nor  a precept, 
nor  a creed,  nor  an  exhortation,  nor  a narrative,  nor  a catalogue  of 
virtues,  nor  an  inventory  of  the  animal  and  vegetable  kingdoms.  A 
hymn  is  an  aspiration  cast  into  poetical  language.  Its  purpose  is  to 
stir  devout  feeling,  — at  the  same  time  conducting  the  soul  in  a peni- 
tential or  jubilant  frame  to  heaven,  and  quickening  within  it  those 
social  affections  of  humanity  which  prove  mankind  to  be  of  one  blood, 
in  one  brotherhood,  under  one  Father.  Nor  can  any  group  of  human 
beings  be  anywhere  found  in  whom  these  sentiments  may  be  often 
waked  to  a grander  purpose  than  a band  of  companions,  already  asso- 
ciated in  the  little  commonwealth  and  the  intense  politics  of  their 
academic  economy,  and  destined  soon  to  take  central  and  command- 
ing places  in  the  nation,  for  Christ,  or  against  him. 

Recent  debates,  in  many  quarters,  have  broached  the  question 
whether  congregational  worship  is  not,  in  some  sense,  disowning  its 
own  name,  by  being  practically  the  least  congregational  of  any  wor- 
ship in  the  world.  Even  if  the  sacerdotal  idea  has  gone  out,  a ser- 
vice confined  exclusively  to  one  officiating  individual  retains  the  priest. 
To  what  extent  a liturgical  practice  might  be  advantageously  intro- 
duced into  our  colleges,  where  men  of  all  denominations  are  assembled, 
is  a point  to  be  determined  rather  by  cautious  and  guarded  experi- 
ment than  by  preconceived  opinion,  or  precipitate  guess-work.  We 
cannot  conceive  why  such  experiment  should  not  be  freely  made,  and 
conducted  with  forbearance  and  good-will  on  all  sides.  Among  all 
parties  there  is,  as  we  suppose,  a common  interest  in  finding  out  the 
best  mode.  Surely  we  can  afford,  at  this  time  of  day,  to  purify  our- 
selves of  the  sectarian  suspicion  and  the  ecclesiastical  narrowness 
which  would  reject  the  best,  or  refuse  to  search  for  it,  because  it 
might  involve  the  adoption  of  a neighbor’s  way,  instead  of  the  pursuit 
of  our  own.  We  confess  ourselves  inclined  to  believe  that  if  the 
Scriptures  could  be  generally  read  alternately,  as  according  to  the 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


29 


Hebrew  parallelism,  or  responsively,  between  the  minister  and  the 
congregation,  in  our  colleges  as  well  as  in  the  churches,  it  would  aid 
the  whole  object,  by  giving  the  laymen  something  so  do,  by  enlivening 
the  mind,  by  fixing  the  eye,  by  engaging  two  senses  and  a tongue  in 
the  service,  instead  of  hearing  alone.  A free  use  of  different  methods 
is  better  than  bondage  to  any  one.  Respecting  the  prayer  itself,  we 
feel  very  sure  of  this : it  should  be  either  expressly  and  obviously 
liturgical,  or  else  be  strictly  extemporaneous,  having  the  natural  ver- 
bal variety  of  a spontaneous  exercise.  What  pretends  to  be  the  latter, 
and  yet  consists  of  a familiar  repetition  of  clauses,  whether  following 
in  a certain  order  or  not,  is  almost  certain  to  become  subject,  at  last, 
to  unfavorable  notice,  and  to  fix  upon  the  service  a reputation  of 
heartless  routine. 

Common  sense  and  observation  teach  that  the  entire  daily  service 
should  be  short,  — not  extending  over  twenty  minutes,  altogether,  at 
the  longest.  Fifteen  are  better  than  twenty.  It  is  idle  to  attempt 
settling  this  matter  by  abstract  notions,  or  to  chafe  at  necessity,  or  to 
expect  a promiscuous  troop  of  boys,  or  men  either,,  to  be  saints,  and  to 
keep  positions  of  discomfort  all  the  more  quietly  because  they  fatigue 
the  limbs.  Edification  is  the  object,  and  edification  should  supply 
the  rule. 

And,  as  to  the  bodily  posture,  there  is  still  occasion  for  experiment. 
It  ought  certainly  to  be  uniform  throughout  the  room.  Sabbath 
assemblies  may  continue  to  affront  decency,  by  the  present  mixed  and 
vulgar  manners,  if  they  will ; but  in  the  decorum  of  a college  or 
school  such  irregularity  should  be  forbidden  as  an  offence.  If  prin- 
ciples of  absolute  adaptation  and  correspondence  were  to  govern  the 
matter,  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  the  three  appropriate  postures 
for  the  house  of  God  would  be  standing  during  praise  (i.  e.,  in  all 
singing  and  the  responsive  readings  of  the  Bible),  kneeling  or  inclin- 
ing the  head  and  body  during  confession  and  prayer , and  sitting  to 
hear  the  discourse , or  the  lessons  read,  by  the  minister.  In  daily 
chapel  services  this  order  may  be  found  impracticable,  on  the  score 
of  the  maintenance  of  stillness,  or  the  supposed  necessity  of  keeping 
the  persons  of  the  pupils  exposed  to  the  eye  of  the  government. 
Certainly  the  body  during  the  prayer  — the  most  important  of  the  ser- 
vices— should  have  the  greatest  degree  of  ease  consistent  with  a proper 
dignity,  so  as  to  furnish  the  least  possible  disturbance  to  the  mind. 
Trifling  accessories  are  not  to  be  overlooked.  Where  it  can  be  done,  a 
palpable  help  would  be  gained  to  the  silence,  and  thus  to  the  just 
impression  of  the  place,  by  some  sort  of  carpeting  on  the  floor. 

The  chief  perplexities  attending  the  subject  arise  from  what  was 


30 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


just  referred  to,  — the  connection  of  the  devotions  with  the  discipline. 
Just  so  far  as  it  can  possibly  be  accomplished,  that  connection  ought 
to  be  at  once  and  completely  dissolved.  That  this  has  not  been  more 
generally  done  in  our  colleges  betokens  an  indifference  to  the  highest 
claims  of  religion,  and  the  laws  of  the  spirit,  painful  to  think  of.  In 
this  direction,  as  it  seems  to  us,  is  the  great  call  for  reformation. 
The  secular  administration  of  a college  is  one  thing,  and  should  rest 
on  its  own  legitimate  resources.  The  worship  of  God  is  another 
thing,  and  should  have  no  other  relation  to  the  former  than  that  of  a 
morally  pervasive  and  sanctifying  influence.  The  chapel  is  not  a con- 
stabulary contrivance,  nor  the  chaplain  a drill-sergeant.  The  Bible 
is  no  substitute  for  a policeman’s  club,  nor  for  a proctor’s  vigilance. 
In  some  seminaries,  it  would  appear  as  if  the  final  cause  for  prayers 
were  a convenient  convocation  of  the  scholars,  as  a substitute  for  a 
roll-call.  They  must  be  somehow  brought  together,  in  order  to  come 
under  the  eye  of  a monitor  and  be  counted,  and  so  they  are  summoned 
to  praise  God.  Now  we  maintain  — and  surely  it  is  a case  that  needs 
no  other  argument  than  an  appeal  to  common  Christian  feeling  — that 
all  this  should  be  forthwith  changed.  A spiritual  approach  to  the 
Almighty  Source  of  Truth  should  not  be  compromised  by  an  extrinsic 
annoyance.  If  any  students  come  to  prayers  reluctantly,  their  reluc- 
tance should  not  be  aggravated  by  the  additional  odium  of  an  aca- 
demic economy  put  under  a sacred  disguise.  Physical  constraint 
should  not  thrust  its  disagreeable  features  unnecessarily  into  the 
sanctuary.  And  therefore  such  arrangements  should  be  secured  that, 
by  classes  or  otherwise,  the  presence  of  the  students  on  the  spot  might 
be  certified  at  the  given  hour,  independently  of  the  chapel  service. 

On  the  other  hand,  one  is  easily  satisfied  that  the  attendance 
should  be  universal,  and  should  be  required;  and  also  that  entire 
order  and  a decorous  deportment  should  be  positively  enforced  under 
strict  sanctions.  These  are  indispensable  conditions  of  any  proper 
effect  of  the  service,  whether  on  the  devoutly  disposed  or  the  reckless. 
Moreover,  the  reasons  for  them  are  plain,  and  find  a substantiating 
authority  in  every  human  breast.  Let  the  compulsion  be  exercised 
in  a kind  spirit,  and  be  patiently  explained.  The  reverence  that 
demands  it  should  be  evident  in  the  officer’s  own  soul  and  bearing. 
Only,  behind  the  reasonable  persuasion  — a silent,  retiring,  but  ever- 
present force  — should  stand  the  imperative  figure  of  law,  always  in 
abeyance,  but  always  there.  And  above  all,  as  just  urged,  let  not  the 
cause  of  this  compulsion  be  mixed  up  with  a secular  regulation,  but  de- 
pend on  its  own  inherent  rectitude  and  conformity  with  the  Divine  Will. 
The  student  is  to  understand  that  he  must  come ; but  then  this  “ must” 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


31 


has  nothing  to  do  with  the  local  policy.  It  is  the  combined  dictate 
of  revelation,  of  history,  of  human  want  and  welfare,  and  of  the  ripest 
judgment  of  the  best  men.  So  an  external  order  must  be  maintained. 
The  intrinsic  right  of  the  matter  is  satisfied  in  no  other  way.  Dis- 
turbance, levity,  whispering,  the  furtive  use  of  a book  or  pencil,  a 
slouched  dress,  or  a lounging  attitude,  should  all  be  prohibited  at  every 
cost.  If  the  pupil  pleads  that  his  heart  is  not  in  the  service,  and  that 
an  outside  compliance  is  an  insincerity,  the  fallacy  can  easily  be  shown 
him.  The  rule  comes  to  aid  his  deficiency,  and  disposes  everything 
to  facilitate  an  interested  participation.  Besides,  there  are  others 
close  by  who  are  really  and  thoughtfully  worshipping,  entitled  to  deco- 
rous surroundings.  There  is  not  the  least  hostility  to  free  and  cor- 
dial devotions  in  such  regulations.  Every  sensible  man  knows  that 
his  strongest  and  happiest  and  healthiest  labors  are  braced  up  and 
kept  in  place  by  law.  Every  transition  from  term-time  to  vacation, 
or  from  professional  tasks  to  purely  voluntary  ones,  illustrates  that. 
As  we  lately  heard  one  of  our  most  faithful  and  unremitting  scientific 
minds,  — one  where  we  should  have  hardly  suspected  the  existence 
of  any  such  reliance,  express  it,  — ■ “ Our  most  spontaneous  studies 
have  to  be  subjected  to  some  form  of  constraint.”  We  get  our  free- 
dom under  a yoke.  Almost  every  busy  man  who  would  acquire  an 
extra  language  must  put  himself  in  bondage  to  a clock  or  a door- 
bell, till  habit  takes  the  place  of  the  private  teacher.  The  spiritual 
motions  of  man  are  no  exception  to  this  peculiarity  of  his  constitution. 
They  are  not  discredited  by  being  regulated.  Besides,  the  funda- 
mental idea  of  a college  or  a school  is  that  its  members  are  “ under 
tutors  and  governors ; ” and  the  success  of  every  part  of  the  educa- 
tional process  depends  on  the  forming  hand  of  law.  Here,  then, 
seems  to  be  the  true  principle : the  secular  discipline  of  an  institution 
has  no  right  to  subordinate  the  devotions  to  itself,  nor  to  use  them  for 
its  purposes;  but  those  devotions  demand  a rational  and  gracious 
discipline  of  their  own,  in  keeping  with  their  dignity,  and  precise 
enough  for  their  external  protection. 

Though  perfect  order,  or  the  nearest  possible  approximation  to  it, 
ought  to  be  insisted  on,  after  the  form  of  the  exercise  is  determined, 
we  hold  that  Christian  pains  should  be  taken  to  remove  every  burden- 
some element  and  circumstance  pertaining  to  it.  A principal  one  is 
often  found  in  an  unseasonable  hour.  The  lessons  and  lectures  of 
college,  especially  when  the  numbers  of  students  are  large,  require  a 
long  day.  It  is  a common  impression  that  the  day  should  begin 
with  public  prayers.  This  often  brings  that  service  so  early  that  the 
prayer-bell  acts  as  a wrench  to  pull  the  reluctant  attendants  out  of 


32 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


their  beds.  This  is  laying  upon  a duty,  which  needs  every  accessory 
to  make  it  agreeable  and  attractive,  a foreign  and  extrinsic  load,  giv- 
ing it  a bad  reputation.  During  our  own  college  course,  rooming 
nearly  half  a mile  from  the  chapel,  we  attended  prayers,  through  the 
whole  winter,  at  six  o’clock,  — both  that  duty  and  a succeeding  reci- 
tation of  an  hour  being  performed  by  candle-light.  The  hardship 
was  not  at  all  too  great  for  a vigorous  training,  and  we  never  got  an 
absence-mark.  But,  taking  the  habits  of  the  people  as  they  are,  and 
especially  of  the  more  luxurious  classes,  this  hour,  or  anything  like  it, 
would  be  accounted  barbarous  and  cruel ; and  therefore  we  should  con- 
sider it  inexpedient.  We  account  it  an  irreverence  to  bring  inevita- 
ble and  superfluous  dislike  on  any  worship.  Morning  prayers  should 
be  held  at  an  hour  when  every  healthy  student  may  be  reasonably 
expected  to  be  up  and  dressed.  Otherwise,  a habit  of  feeling  and  of 
speaking  is  gradually  engendered  incompatible  with  due  veneration. 

In  Harvard  University  the  . experiment  has  been  tried,  within  a 
year  or  two,  of  assembling  for  morning  prayers  after  breakfast,  and 
indeed  at  two  or  three  different  times,  in  the  first  part  of  the  day. 
The  result,  on  the  whole,  has  been  favorable  to  making  the  prayers 
the  first  exercise,  before  breakfast ; and  this  appears  to  be  the  prefer- 
ence of  the  students  themselves,  both  on  the  score  of  natural  fitness 
and  personal  convenience.  The  subject  justifies  an  extensive  com- 
parison of  different  judgments  and  experiences. 

At  Harvard,  at  Brown,  and  perhaps  at  other  institutions,  the  cus- 
tom of  an  evening  service  has  been  suspended.  It  was  thought 
advisable  to  concentrate  the  interest  on  one  daily  assembling  for 
prayers.  There  were  various  reasons.  The  appointments  of  the 
buildings  generally  require  that,  if  held  at  all,  that  exercise  should 
come  at  night-fall,  and  not  at  the  more  intrinsically  suitable  time  of 
retiring  to  rest.  Bat,  during  the  winter,  night-fall  comes  in  the 
midst  of  the  day’s  work.  At  all  seasons,  that  part  of  the  day  is 
commonly  appropriated  to  out-of-door  exercise,  and  by  many  to  dis- 
tant walks.  Frequently  the  students  are  engaged,  in  large  companies, 
in  their  noisiest  and  most  exciting  sports.  From  these  stirring  and 
jovial  games,  altogether  proper  and  wholesome  in  their  place,  the 
tide  of  animal  spirits  running  at  its  height,  a stroke  of  the  bell  sum- 
mons them  suddenly  to  a reverential  homage  of  their  Maker.  It  is 
not  in  human  nature  to  make  that  quick  transition  with  entire  dignity, 
and  to  the  honor  of  the  homage.  At  any  rate,  it  is  observable 
enough  that  the  evening  worship  is  far  less  impressive  and  edifying 
faan  the  morning.  From  these  and  other  causes,  the  change  has  been 
instituted,  and,  so  far  as  we  are  informed,  with  such  manifest  and 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  LN  COLLEGES. 


33 


unequivocal  advantage,  that  the  officers  in  these  colleges  would  be 
slow  to  return  to  the  former  usage.  But  here  again  a longer  expe- 
rience must  finally  decide. 

This  seems  to  us  quite  clear,  that  whatever  sacrifices  of  comfort,  or 
effort  of  the  will,  this  attendance  may  demand,  the  sacrifices  and 
the  effort  ought  to  be  borne  by  the  board  of  government  and  instruction 
along  with  the  pupils.  With  a few  allowances,  the  prayers  are  indeed 
just  as  important  for  the  one  class  as  the  other.  If  the  officers  are 
absent,  it  is  at  least  natural  that  the  pupils  should  tacitly  ask  why  they 
are  obliged  to  be  present.  The  great  law  of  voluntary  self-denial 
comes  into  action  here,  as  in  so  many  of  the  relations  of  teachers  to 
their  scholars.  Say  what  we  will  about  universal  principles,  the  eth- 
ics of  a college  and  a school  are  peculiar.  They  exempt  from  no 
general  duty,  but  they  impose  special  and  local  ones  of  their  own. 
The  great  universal  principle  is  to  do  the  most  good  in  all  circum- 
stances. So  sensitive  are  the  moral  sympathies  of  these  seminaries, 
that  a conscientious,  high-principled  Christian  teacher  will  put  away 
from  him  many  an  indulgence  otherwise  harmless,  and  cheerfully  take  up 
many  a task  otherwise  needless,  solely  from  a reference  to  the  moral 
purity  of  those  under  his  care,  and  in  deference  to  that  grand  ethical 
law  so  nobly  interpreted  by  Paul  in  the  fourteenth  chapter  to  the  Bo- 
mans.  We  are  persuaded  that  very  much  of  the  present  disaffection  in 
these  institutions  at  the  exacted  attendance  would  gradually  disappear, 
if  it  were  seen  that  the  officers  all  regularly  came  of  their  own  accord. 
Nor  should  they  come  merely  to  use  an  oversight  of  the  under-gradu- 
ates. That  may  be  done  incidentally.  The  prime  purpose  should 
be  to  engage  honestly  in  the  worship,  to  offer  praise  and  supplication 
to  the  Lord  of  life,  to  learn  that  august  lesson  of  faith  and  love 
toward  Him,  of  whom  “ day  unto  day  uttereth  speech,  and  night  unto 
night  showeth  knowledge,”  which  is  just  as  necessary  for  the  strong 
and  the  wise,  as  for  the  weak  and  simple. 

We  come  back  from  the  details  of  method, — none  of  which  can  be 
insignificant  where  the  end  is  so  high, — to  the  spiritual  forces  involved, 
and  the  infinite  object  contemplated.  Giod,  who  alone  is  true,  has 
promised  that  he  will  hear  the  prayers  of  his  people,  and  has  condi- 
tioned the  bestowment  of  his  richest  blessings  on  their  being  sought 
in  singleness  of  heart.  The  history  of  our  country  is  all  bright  with 
evidences  how  he  watches  over  the  nurseries  of  a pure  learning,  and  from 
the  very  beginning  has  turned  the  seats  of  Christian  education  into  foun- 
tains to  gladden  the  wilderness  and  the  city  of  God.  “ Such  prayers 
as  Dr.  Dwight  poured  forth  in  the  Chapel  of  Yale  College,  when,  in 
the  agony  of  his  spirit,  he  wrestled  with  God,  as  well  as  struggled 
No.  10  [Yol.  iv.  No.  1.]  — 3 


34 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN'  COLLEGES. 


with  men,  for  the  victory  over  error  and  sin,  never  fall  powerless 
on  the  ear  of  man  or  God,  never  fail  to  carry  the  worshippers 
into  the  very  presence  of  their  Maker.”  Nor  was  it  ever  plainer 
than  now,  that  the  healing  branch  of  devotion  needs  to  be  thrown 
into  the  head  waters  of  popular  intelligence  to  sweeten  their  bitter- 
ness. Intellectual  pride,  a cultured  self-will,  unbelieving  science, 
literary  conceit,  all  lift  their  disgusting  signals  to  show  us  that  the 
knowledge  of  this  world  is  not  to  be  mistaken  for  the  wisdom  of 
Heaven.  Knowledge  is  power,  but  what  kind  of  power  ? A power 
of  beneficence,  or  a power  of  destruction  ? That  depends  on  other 
questions.  For  what  is  knowledge  sought  ? To  whom  is  it  conse- 
crated ? Into  whose  name  is  it  baptized  ? Let  us  save  ourselves,  if 
we  may,  from  a brain  developed  only  to  be  demonized,  and  from  the 
delusion  of  mastering  the  secrets  of  nature  only  to  be  brought  into  a 
poor  bondage  to  ambition.  Knowledge  is  not  sufficient  of  itself. 
Now,  as  ‘of  old,  and  forever,  it  must  wait  reverently  on  the  Unseen, 
and  kneel  in  lowly  faith.  Men  may  talk  of  the  pure  and  passionless 
air  of  scientific  research,  of  the  certainties  of  scientific  deduction,  of 
the  absoluteness  of  scientific  conclusions,  decrying,  at  the  same  time, 
the  strifes,  and  altercations,  and  fluctuations  of  theology,  as  if  thereby 
to  affirm  some  independence  of  thought  on  God,  or  some  superiority 
of  the  understanding  over  the  heart.  It  is  an  impertinent  compar- 
ison and  an  insane  jealousy.  Let  them  explore  their  own  fallacies. 
Let  them  not  confound  theology  and  religion,  nor  the  processes  of 
science  with  its  ultimate  results.  Let  them  read  the  biographies  of 
scholars,  and  the  history  of  thought ; let  them  trace  the  course  of  the 
principal  scientific  discoveries  within  the  last  dozen  years ; let  them 
acquaint  themselves  with  the  quarrels  of  authors,  and  the  disputes  of 
schools,  and  the  gossip  of  cliques.  They  will  soon  find  that  petty 
contentions  are  not  confined  to  ecclesiastical  councils,  though  Heaven 
knows  their  air  is  too  foul  and  vexed  with  them.  They  will  see  that 
everywhere  the  mind  wants  the  guidance  of  God’s  Spirit ; that  educa- 
tion without  piety  is  only  a multiplying  of  the  means  of  mischief ; 
and  that  Christ  came  into  the  world  as  much  to  teach  scholars  humil- 
ity, as  to  comfort  the  illiterate.  No  : those  who  say  such  things  are 
not  the  strong  friends  of  science,  nor  the  true  advocates  of  her  dig- 
nity, but  novitiates  in  her  sacred  tuition,  and  flippant  champions  whom 
she  disowns.  Knowledge  and  faith  have  one  interest,  one  aim,  one 
God  and  Saviour  to  confess  and  serve ; and  therefore  over  every  step 
in  education,  every  lesson  in  learning,  every  day  of  the  student’s  tried 
and  tempted  life,  should  be  spread  the  hallowing  peace  and  the  sav 
ing  benediction  of  prayer. 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


35 


Deep  down  in  their  souls  students  feel  this.  At  least  in  their 
better  moments  they  realize  it.  Even  the  most  impulsive  and  incon- 
siderate have  some  dim,  instinctive  witnessing  within  them  that  it  is 
good  to  call  on  Grod.  Many  an  earnest  believer  has  felt  his  first  re- 
newing convictions,  the  first  strong  grasp  of  the  hand  of  remorse,  the  first 
touch  of  penitential  sorrow,  amidst  these  apparently  neglected  entrea- 
ties. The  sure  arrow  from  the  Divine  Word  has  there  reached  many  a 
haughty  and  obdurate  heart.  The  silent  struggle  in  a young  man’s 
exposed  nature,  between  early  principle  and  fierce  solicitation,  has 
often  received  there  the  blessed  help  that  secured  the  victory  to  vir- 
tue. Some  germ  of  holy  resolution  has  found  nourishment,  and  light 
and  air  to  grow  in.  Some  half-formed  plan  of  dissipation  or  vicious 
amusement  has  there  risen  up  in  its  hideous  aspect;  and  been  forever 
dashed  to  the  earth  and  broken  to  pieces.  Some  yielding  rectitude 
or  chastity  has  been  reassured  and  set  on  its  blameless  way  again  in 
gratitude  and  joy.  Images  of  home  have  come  before  the  closed  eyes. 
The  voices  of  mother  and  sister,  of  the  affectionate  pastor  that  child- 
hood had  revered,  and  of  many  a saint  on  earth  or  angel  in  heaven 
beside,  have  seemed  to  speak  and  plead  in  the  simple,  fervent  peti- 
tions. Could  the  secrets  hid  in  the  hearts  of  educated  men  be  re- 
vealed, we  have  no  doubt  it  would  be  seen  how  large  a part  the  college 
prayers  bore  in  the  initiation  or  the  reinvigorating  of  their  best  de- 
signs. Many  a man  has  there,  in  silence,  said  honestly  and  faith- 
fully to  his  own  conscience,  “ To-day  I shall  live  more  righteously ; 
meanness  and  sin  shall  be  more  hateful  to  me ; generosity  and  good- 
ness more  lovely ; ” and  all  the  day  has  answered  to  the  pledge.  Ad- 
monitions, that  would  have  been  rejected  if  offered  from  man  to  man, 
work  their  effectual  plea  in  the  indirect  persuasion  of  a request  to  the 
Father  of  Lights.  Noble  friendships  between  young  hearts  have  felt 
themselves  more  disinterested  and  more  secure  for  the  holy  appeal  to 
the  Source  of  Love.  The  noble  claims  of  humanity,  making  each  man 
feel  himself  a brother  in  the  mighty  fraternity,  girding  him  to  labor 
and  suffer  for  his  kind  as  the  only  worthy  calling  of  his  scholarly  life, 
have  there  pressed  their  way  into  the  heart  of  hearts,  through  a 
clause  of  that  Bible  that  speaks  to  the  rich  and  the  poor,  or  a suppli- 
cation for  sage  and  slave  alike,  for  bond  and  free,  for  the  heathen  and 
the  helpless.  Eminent  servants  of  the  best  causes,  disinterested  pat- 
riots, preachers  of  Christ,  missionaries  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  have 
taken  there  the  first  impulse  that  bore  them  on  to  their  places  of  heroic 
action  or  martyr-like  endurance,  — faithful  unto  death,  awaiting 
crowns  of  life. 

Whatever  appearances  of  neglect  may  attend  the  familiar  repeti 


36 


PUBLIC  PRAYERS  IN  COLLEGES. 


tion  of  these  holy  oceasions,  therefore,  there  can  be  no  apology  for 
discouragement.  As  in  all  cooperation  with  the  vast,  slow  achieve- 
ments of  the  Providence  that  predestines  a spiritual  harvest  from 
every  seed  sown  in  faith,  there  must  be  an  unhesitating  continuance 
in  well  doing,  and  a patient  waiting,  for  results,  on  Him  who  is  so  un- 
speakably patient  with  us.  Only  let  the  prayers  be  real  prayers ; 
such  asking  as  humbly  refers  each  entreaty  to  the  Supreme,  Unerring 
Will,  yet  with  the  fearless  trust  that  He  who  hears  in  love  will  answer 
in  wisdom ; let  the  things  prayed  for  be  such  things  as  those  then  and 
there  assembled  most  heartily  desire,  rather  than  such  things  as  pre- 
cedent or  old  tradition  have  decided  it  is  merely  proper  to  implore ; 
let  Christian  care  and  painstaking  be  applied  to  the  arrangements  of 
the  company  and  the  parts  of  the  service ; let  the  intercessions  of 
thousands  of  sympathizing  and  anxious  homes  throughout  the  land 
arise  in  unison ; and  then  there  can  be  no  ground  of  doubt  that  God 
will  accept  our  offerings,  sanctify  our  scholarship,  lead  more  of  our 
young  men  to  bring  their  gifts  and  attainments  to  the  Saviour’s  min- 
istry, uniting  a broad  culture  with  high  aspirations  and  a profound 
faith  in  the  structure  of  the  civilization  that  is  to  be.  Then  many  a 
man  who  enters  college  only  with  a vague  purpose  to  profit  or  to 
please  himself,  while  there  shall  listen  to  a higher  call,  and  become  a 
cheerful  servant  of  the  King  of  kings.  Then  right-minded,  pure- 
hearted  youths  will  not  find  their  collegiate  course  a perversion  from 
integrity,  nor  a snare  to  principle,  nor  a ruin  of  honorable  hopes,  but 
a confirmation  of  every  worthy  desire,  and  a progress  in  all  manly 
living.  Then  the  thoughts  of  parents  will  not  turn  to  these  institu- 
tions with  regret,  with  maledictions,  or  with  shame,  but  with  confi- 
dence, gratitude  and  joy.  Then  the  Republic  will  not  be  disappointed 
when  she  looks  to  the  University  as  “ the  light  of  her  eyes  and  the 
right  arm  of  her  strength.”  Then  the  most  powerful  agency  that  can 
be  conceived  will  be  inaugurated  to  make  our  literature  healthful, 
earnest,  humane.  And  then,  not  only  by  the  motto  of  a seal,  and  not 
only  in  the  pious  hopes  of  its  founders,  but  in  the  daily  spirit  of  its 
administration,  and  in  the  characters  of  its  graduates,  shall  each  col- 
lege be  dedicated  to  Christ  and  the  church. 


